Neolithodes brodiei facts for kids

The Neolithodes brodiei is a fascinating type of king crab that makes its home in the deep waters around New Zealand. It's easy to spot because of its bright red color and spiky shell.

This crab usually lives very deep underwater, typically between 950 and 1,150 meters (about 3,100 to 3,800 feet) down. Its shell, called a carapace, is a deep red color. It also has many small spikes, called spinules, and some bigger spines all over its shell.

Good news! The New Zealand Department of Conservation says that the Neolithodes brodiei is "Not Threatened." This means it's not currently in danger of disappearing.

Discovering New Crab Species

Sometimes, scientists find a crab and think it's a Neolithodes brodiei. But later, they might discover it's actually a brand new type of crab that no one has ever described before!

For example, in 2001, scientists thought they found this crab near Vanuatu. However, they later realized it was a different, unknown species. Also, in 2005, four crabs found near the Balleny Islands in the Southern Ocean were first thought to be N. brodiei. But it turned out they were a completely new species, which was later named Neolithodes yaldwyni. This shows how exciting and full of surprises ocean exploration can be!

What's in a Name?

The name "Neolithodes" comes from Greek and Latin words. It means "new stone-crab." The second part of its name, "brodiei", is a tribute to J. W. Brodie. He was the director of the New Zealand Oceanographic Institute when this crab was named.