Maja brachydactyla Balss, 1922
(Spiny Spider Crab, Common Spider Crab)

Taxonomic hierarchy:
SpeciesMaja brachydactyla (Spiny Spider Crab, Common Spider Crab)
FamilyMAJIDAE (spider crabs)
SuperfamilyMAJOIDEA (a superfamily of crustaceans)
Subsection Heterotremata (a subsection (zoo.) of crustaceans)
Section Eubrachyura (a section (zoo.) of crustaceans)
InfraorderBrachyura (crabs)
SuborderPLEOCYEMATA (a suborder of crustaceans)
OrderDECAPODA (crabs, shrimps, lobsters etc.)
SuperorderEUCARIDA (crab, shrimps, lobsters etc.)
SubclassEUMALACOSTRACA (a subclass of crustaceans)
ClassMALACOSTRACA (crabs, lobsters, shrimps, prawns, woodlice etc.)
SubphylumCRUSTACEA (crustaceans)
PhylumARTHROPODA (arthropods)
SuperphylumECDYSOZOA (skin shedders)
CladeBilateria (bilaterally symmetrical animals)
SubkingdomEUMETAZOA (metazoans)
KingdomANIMALIA (animals)
DomainEukaryota (eukaryotes)
LifeBIOTA (living things)
Records of Maja brachydactyla (Spiny Spider Crab, Common Spider Crab) :
1: Maja brachydactyla (Spiny Spider Crab, Common Spider Crab)
25 Apr 2008 OSGR: SZ07 50° 40’ N, 1° 60’ W Vice County: Dorset (VC 9) England
Moribund female washed up on the beach after storm
Image 1: Chela - female - inner surfaceImage 2: Chela - female - outer surfaceImage 3: Chela - female - outer surface (2)Image 4: Female apronImage 5: Female apron - close-upImage 6: Female apron - close-up (2)Image 7: Female - apron - openedImage 8: Female - apron - opened (2)Image 9: Female - dorsal viewImage 10: Female - dorsal view (2)Image 11: Female - eyes, antennae etc - ventral viewImage 12: Female - eyes, antennae, mouthparts etc - ventral viewImage 13: Female - ventral viewImage 14: Female - ventral view (2)
2: Maja brachydactyla (Spiny Spider Crab, Common Spider Crab)
23 Apr 2008 OSGR: SZ07 50° 40’ N, 1° 60’ W Vice County: Dorset (VC 9) England
two moribund males (one with no chelae) washed up on the beach after storms
Image 1: Apron (male) - close-upImage 2: Chela (male) - inner face - close-upImage 3: Chela (male) - outer face - close-upImage 4: Eye stalks, antennae etc - ventral view - close-upImage 5: Eye stalks, antennae etc - ventral view - close-up (2)Image 6: Eye stalks, antennae etc - ventral view - close-up (3)Image 7: Eye stalks, antennae etc - ventral view - close-up (4)Image 8: Male - antero-dorsal view - in waterImage 9: Male - dorsal view - in waterImage 10: Male - dorsal view - on sand - in shadeImage 11: Male - dorsal view - on sand - in shade (2)Image 12: Male - dorsal view - on sand - in shade (3)Image 13: Male - dorsal view - on sand - in sunshineImage 14: Male - dorsal view - on sand - in sunshine (2)Image 15: Male - postero-dorsal view - on sand - in sunshineImage 16: Male - ventral view - on sand - in shadeImage 17: Male - ventral view - on sand - in shade (2)Image 18: Male - ventral view - on sand - in sunshineImage 19: Male - ventral view - on sand - in sunshine (2)Image 20: Two males - as foundImage 21: Two males - as found (2)
3: Maja brachydactyla (Spiny Spider Crab, Common Spider Crab)
16 Jul 1969 OSIGR: A00 Vice County: West Cork (VC H03) Eire
Image 1: Dorsal viewImage 2: Ventral view
4: Maja brachydactyla (Spiny Spider Crab, Common Spider Crab)
Jul 1969 OSIGR: A00 Vice County: West Cork (VC H03) Eire
Cast carapace washed up on shore
Image 1: CarapaceImage 2: Carapace anterior end - close-up

Maja brachydactyla (Spiny Spider Crab, Common Spider Crab) may be included in identification literature listed under the following higher taxa:

NBNNBN (data.nbn.org.uk) has a distribution map for Maja brachydactyla (Spiny Spider Crab, Common Spider Crab)
BioInfoBioInfo (www.bioinfo.org.uk) has 0 host/parasite/foodplant and/or other relationships for Maja brachydactyla (Spiny Spider Crab, Common Spider Crab)

A large pink spider crab with even longer legs. In summer, it may be found on south-western shores.

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