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Mar 8, 2024 · From clawless lobsters to deep-sea dwellers, explore the rich diversity of lobster species that inhabit our oceans.
Here are the basic parts of a lobster and their function: Abdomen — the section commonly referred to as the “tail”. Antennae — tactile organs, having a sense of touch. Antennules — chemosensors, having a sense of smell – with a function similar to a human nose. Carapace — the outer shell of the cephalothrax.
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- What Are Lobsters?
- American Lobster
- European Lobster
- California Spiny Lobster
- South African Lobster
- Norway Lobster
- New Zealand Lobster
- Caribbean Spiny Lobster
- Western Rock Lobster
- Mediterranean Slipper Lobster
Lobsters are marine crustaceans from the Nephropidae family. They are typically found in saltwater habitats, such as the Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, and Mediterranean Sea. Lobsters are known for their hard exoskeleton, which protects their soft bodies, and their large claws, which they use for defense and feeding. True lobsters, like the America...
Scientific Name: Homarus americanus Other Names: Canadian lobster Size: 10 inches Distribution: Atlantic Ocean, ranging from Labrador to North Carolina American lobsters are known for their distinctive appearance, which includes large claws, a spiny carapace, and long antennae. American lobsters are commercially fished and are considered a delicacy...
Scientific Name: Homarus gammarus Other Names: Common lobster Size: 15 inches Distribution: the European Atlantic coast, from Norway to the Mediterranean Sea The European lobster has a distinctive appearance, with a spiny carapace, long antennae, and two large claws. They prefer to live in rocky or gravelly habitats at depths ranging from 0 to 100 ...
Scientific Name: Panulirus interruptus Other Names: Pacific spiny lobster Size: 12 inches Distribution: The Pacific coast, ranging from Monterey Bay in California to the Gulf of Tehuantepec in Mexico. California spiny lobsters have a distinct appearance, with spiny projections covering their body and a pair of large antennae. They are nocturnal cre...
Scientific Name: Jasus lalandii Other Names: Cape rock lobster Size: 20 inches Distribution: The southwestern coast of Africa, ranging from Angola to South Africa The South African lobster has a spiny carapace and two large claws. They prefer to live in rocky or coral reef habitatsat depths ranging from 0 to 120 meters. They are omnivorous, feeding...
Scientific Name: Nephrops norvegicus Other Names: Dublin bay prawn Size: 10 inches Distribution: The northeastern Atlantic Ocean, ranging from Norway to Portugal The Norway lobster has a long, slender body and two large claws. They prefer to live in sandy or muddy habitats at depths ranging from 20 to 800 meters. They are omnivorous, feeding on a v...
Scientific Name: Jasus edwardsii Other Names: Red Rock Lobster Size: 10 inches Distribution: The coastal waters of New Zealand and southern Australia They can grow up to 60 centimeters (24 inches) in length and weigh up to 8 kilograms (18 pounds). Their body is covered in spiny projections which are used for defense. New Zealand lobsters prefer to ...
Scientific Name: Panulirus argus Size: 18 inches Distribution: The western Atlantic Ocean, from Florida to Brazil. The Caribbean spiny lobster is a species of lobster found in the western Atlantic Ocean, from Florida to Brazil. They can grow up to 60 centimeters (24 inches) in length and weigh up to 4.5 kilograms (10 pounds). Unlike some other spec...
Scientific Name: Panulirus cygnus Other Names: Crayfish Size: 12 inches Distribution: Found in the coastal waters of Western Australia The Western rock lobster, also known as the crayfish, is a species of lobster found in the coastal waters of Western Australia. They can grow up to 60 centimeters (24 inches) in length and weigh up to 5 kilograms (1...
Scientific Name: Scyllarides latus Other Names: Slipper Lobster Size: 12 inches Distribution: Mediterranean Sea, Eastern Atlantic Ocean, Black Sea The Mediterranean slipper lobster has a distinctive flattened body shape and lacks claws. Its antennae are long and flattened, resembling a pair of ears. They inhabit rocky and sandy areas in shallow wat...
- Hard shell Maine lobster. If you order lobster at a restaurant or pluck one out of a supermarket's tank in most of the United States, chances are you're getting a hard shell Maine lobster.
- Soft shell Maine lobster. The soft shell variant of the Maine (or American) lobster is the exact same species as the hard shell, except it has molted more recently and its exoskeleton is still in the hardening process (via The Ocean Mart).
- Canadian lobster. Like the Maine lobster, the Canadian lobster is also of the genus Homarus americanus, meaning they're the exact same species (via The Ocean Mart).
- European lobster. Homarus gammarus, which is also known as the European lobster, French blue, or common lobster, is a distinct species of lobster found in the seas around Europe.
Understanding the anatomy of a lobster is crucial for anyone interested in the biology of these fascinating crustaceans. Lobsters are known for their hard exoskeleton, which protects their soft internal organs. In this guide, you will learn about the different parts of a lobster’s body and how they function.
This page is about lobsters with claws – the kind most commonly caught around the UK. We have a separate page about rock or spiny lobsters – the ones without claws. LOBSTER FERTILISER. Lobster has been a highly regarded food since ancient times. But there were exceptions.
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Lobster anatomy includes two main body parts: the cephalothorax and the abdomen. The cephalothorax fuses the head and the thorax, both of which are covered by a chitinous carapace. The lobster's head bears antennae, antennules, mandibles, the first and second maxillae.