''Paralomis zealandica'', also known as the prickly king crab,
is a species of
king crab which lives at a depth of in
New Zealand. It has spiky
carapace
A carapace is a Dorsum (biology), dorsal (upper) section of the exoskeleton or shell in a number of animal groups, including arthropods, such as crustaceans and arachnids, as well as vertebrates, such as turtles and tortoises. In turtles and tor ...
. The scientific name of the species was first validly published in 1971 by Dawson & Yaldwyn. ''P. zealandica'' can be distinguished from other species in New Zealand waters by its thick covering of strong upright spines all over, including on its abdomen and along its legs and claws. The
rostrum has three short, strong and sharp spines. It is the most prominent species of ''Paralomis'' in New Zealand.
See also
* ''
Paralomis debodeorum'', an extinct species which closely resembles ''P. zealandica''
References
King crabs
Crustaceans described in 1971
Marine crustaceans of New Zealand
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