Brush-clawed shore crab
Hemigrapsus takanoi
Overview
Photo credits: ©Arjan Gittenberger; ©Hans Hillewaert
Hemigrapsus takanoi - brush-clawed shore crab
Description:
Origin and Worldwide Distribution:
Potential or Known Impacts:
How did it/could it get here?
Is it found in Northern Ireland?
Methods for Prevention:
You can help by reporting any sightings: @ the Centre for Environmental Data & Recording (CEDaR) - Or via the iRecord App. For further queries, you can contact the Invasive Non Native Species (INNS) Team in the Northern Ireland Environment Agency on 028 9056 9558 or Email: invasivespecies@daera-ni.gov.uk
Hemigrapsus takanoi - brush-clawed shore crab
Description:
- H. takanoi is a small crab, reaching 2.5cm in length across its square cephalothorax. It is dark in colour, ranging from greyish to greenish to brown; its legs are banded. The males have a dense tuft of yellow bristles on their claws
- It is found in intertidal areas of mudflats, estuaries and lagoons.
Origin and Worldwide Distribution:
- This species is found in Japan and Korea. Its wider distribution is to be yet to be confirmed as it has been distinguished from a similar species.
- It is invasive in Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain.
Potential or Known Impacts:
- It may outcompete native crab species for food and shelter. It has a highly reproductive potential, and the ability to grow quickly. It has a broad diet, and may predate on native shellfish.
How did it/could it get here?
- It could be spread by hull-fouling from ships or by their ballast water.
- Planktonic larvae may be moved by water currents. Adults may be hitchhike in narrow crevices on ropes, anchor boxes or in farmed oyster boxes.
Is it found in Northern Ireland?
- It is not found in Northern Ireland
Methods for Prevention:
- Do not introduce.
- Make sure that all equipment is cleaned before moving between different water bodies.
- Do not move water from one water body to another.
- Report all sightings.
You can help by reporting any sightings: @ the Centre for Environmental Data & Recording (CEDaR) - Or via the iRecord App. For further queries, you can contact the Invasive Non Native Species (INNS) Team in the Northern Ireland Environment Agency on 028 9056 9558 or Email: invasivespecies@daera-ni.gov.uk