Knot-fingered mud crab
Panopeus lacustris
This record describes Panopeus lacustris (species). Recorded family: Panopeidae. Recorded order: Decapoda.
Identification and Appearance
It is distinguished from other member in the family by a very broad major claw forming joint (chela) with cusps of teeth in molar area of an immovable finger. This claw is often coalesced and worn (Abele and Kim 1986).
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Malacostraca
- Order
- Decapoda (Crabs, Crayfishes, Lobsters, Prawns, and Shrimp)
- Family
- Panopeidae
- Genus
- Panopeus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Shallow and subtidal waters.
Geographic Range
Southern Florida; Bermuda and through the West Indies, and along the continental margin of the Caribbean Sea and South America to Cabo Frio, Brazil.
About Crabs, Crayfishes, Lobsters, Prawns, and Shrimp: the wider group
Order-level background for Decapoda, the group containing Panopeus lacustris. 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 Knot-fingered mud crab
What is Knot-fingered mud crab?
Knot-fingered mud crab (Panopeus lacustris) is a species in the family Panopeidae, within the order Decapoda.
How do you identify Knot-fingered mud crab?
It is distinguished from other member in the family by a very broad major claw forming joint (chela) with cusps of teeth in molar area of an immovable finger. This claw is often coalesced and worn (Abele and Kim 1986).
Where is Knot-fingered mud crab found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Shallow and subtidal waters. |
| Range | Southern Florida; Bermuda and through the West Indies, and along the continental margin of the Caribbean Sea and South America to Cabo Frio, Brazil. |