Description: A small crab, with a carapace length of around 6 mm (rarely up to 13 mm), that is covered in large tubercles and spines. The tubercles are often triangular or mushroom-shaped. The pincers and walking legs also have numerous tubercles. The rostrum is very broad in relation to body size and each half is well spaced apart and tapers into a point. There is a spine below each eye. The pincers are equal in size and relatively long. The walking legs have stiff hairs on the outermost section, as does the rostrum.

Habitat: Hard substrates and amongst hydroids.

Distribution: Scattered records around Britain and Ireland. Seems to be mostly absent from the east coast of Britain.

Similar Species: Could be confused with Eurynome aspera. Eurynome spinosa has longer pincers in relation to body size.

Key Identification Features:

• Small crab covered in prominent tubercles and spines.
• Relatively long pincers, which are equal in length.
• Rostrum broad and with two tapering points.

Distribution Map from NBN: Eurynome spinosa at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Eurynome spinosa at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Eurynome spinosa

WoRMS: Eurynome spinosa at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Eurynome spinosa Hailstone, 1835. AphiaID: 107319.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Arthropoda; Crustacea; Multicrustacea; Malacostraca; Eumalacostraca; Eucarida; Decapoda; Pleocyemata; Brachyura; Eubrachyura; Heterotremata; Majoidea; Majidae; Majinae; Eurynome