Callinectes ornatus
This record describes Callinectes ornatus (species). Recorded family: Portunidae. Recorded order: Decapoda.
Identification and Appearance
Blue Crabs of the South Atlantic Bight
Identification notes
Blue Crabs of the South Atlantic Bight
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Malacostraca
- Order
- Decapoda (Crabs, Crayfishes, Lobsters, Prawns, and Shrimp)
- Family
- Portunidae (Swimming Crabs)
- Genus
- Callinectes
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
VA to FL; south to Brazil
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Callinectes ornatus Ordway 1863
About Crabs, Crayfishes, Lobsters, Prawns, and Shrimp: the wider group
Order-level background for Decapoda, the group containing Callinectes ornatus. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Decapoda includes ~15,000 described species of crabs, lobsters, shrimp, and crayfish. Although primarily marine and freshwater, some species like hermit crabs and coconut crabs are fully terrestrial.
Ecological role of the group
Crayfish are keystone species in freshwater ecosystems, influencing water clarity, sediment dynamics, and plant communities. Hermit crabs play vital roles in nutrient cycling on tropical islands.
Economic and practical significance of the group
The global shrimp industry alone is worth over $45 billion annually. Crayfish are important aquaculture species and invasive crayfish cause ecological damage estimated in the hundreds of millions annually in Europe and North America.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO fisheries statistics, freshwater ecology. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Frequently Asked Questions About Callinectes ornatus
What is Callinectes ornatus?
Callinectes ornatus is a species in the family Portunidae, within the order Decapoda.
How do you identify Callinectes ornatus?
Blue Crabs of the South Atlantic Bight
Where is Callinectes ornatus found?
Range: VA to FL; south to Brazil