Jacquinotia


Jacquinotia is a genus of spider crab that contains one species, Jacquinotia edwardsii. J. edwardsii is the largest crab in New Zealand and is commonly known as the southern spider crab or the giant spider crab.

Description

Jacquinotia edwardsii has a rough, triangular-knobbed shape carapace, which is dirty white in colour. Males are much larger than females and reach a legspan of up to and a carapace length up to.

Distribution

Jacquinotia edwardsii is found in southern New Zealand, from Mernoo Gap to the Campbell Islands, in the intertidal zone and to a depth of. Fossils have been found from the late Pleistocene to the early Pliocene which are referable to J. edwardsii or – for the oldest known specimen – very similar.

Ecology

The maturity size for males is about, and for females, but the age for the southern spider crabs are unknown. The larvae start between September and November. Males may consume other shells, while females are detritivores. Jacquinotia edwardsii is commercially fished.