Prickly king crab facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Paralomis zealandica |
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Invalid status (NZ TCS)
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Paralomis
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P. zealandica
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| Paralomis zealandica (Dawson & Yaldwyn, 1971)
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Paralomis zealandica |
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The Paralomis zealandica, also known as the prickly king crab, is a fascinating creature that lives deep in the ocean waters around New Zealand. This amazing crab gets its name from the many sharp spines covering its body. It's a type of king crab, which are known for being large and often spiky.
Discovering the Prickly King Crab
The prickly king crab lives far beneath the ocean's surface. It can be found at depths ranging from about 254 meters (which is like diving down 254 school buses stacked end-to-end!) to a very deep 1212 meters. That's a super dark and cold part of the ocean!
What Makes This Crab So Spiky?
The prickly king crab is easy to spot because of its unique look. Its entire body, including its shell (called a carapace), its legs, and even its claws, is covered in thick, strong, upright spines. These spines are what give it the "prickly" part of its name.
It also has a special pointy part on its head called a rostrum. This rostrum has three short, strong, and very sharp spines. These features help scientists tell the prickly king crab apart from other similar crabs found in New Zealand waters.
How Scientists Named It
The scientific name of this crab is Paralomis zealandica. Scientists Dawson and Yaldwyn first officially described and named this species in 1971. When a species is "validly published," it means scientists have followed all the rules to give it a proper, unique name that other scientists can use. This helps everyone around the world know exactly which animal they are talking about.
The prickly king crab is the most well-known type of Paralomis crab living in New Zealand. Its spiky appearance makes it stand out in the deep-sea world.
