Small Mud Crab

Dyspanopeus sayi is a species of mud crab that is native to the Atlantic coast of North America. It has also become established outside its native range, living in Swansea Docks since 1960, the Mediterranean Sea since the 1970s, the North Sea since 2007, and the Black Sea since 2010. It can reach a carapace width of 20 mm (0.8 in) and has black tips to its unequal claws. It feeds on bivalves and barnacles, and it is in turn eaten by predators including the Atlantic blue crab, Callinectes sapidus. Eggs are produced from spring to autumn, the offspring reach sexual maturity the following summer, and individuals can live for up to two years. The closest relative of D. sayi is D.

From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Is it venomous or poisonous?

We have no record of Small Mud Crab being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.

Easily confused with

• Eurypanopeus depressus
• Panopeus herbstii
• Pilumnopeus serratifrons
• Panopeus obesus
• Rhithropanopeus harrisii
• Heteropanope glabra

Classification

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Arthropoda

Class

Malacostraca

Order

Decapoda

Family

Panopeidae

Genus

Dyspanopeus

Species

Dyspanopeus sayi

More species