Biphasic-life-cycle
Guides
Paralithodes
king crab
Paralithodes is a genus of large king crabs (family Lithodidae) native to cold waters of the North Pacific Ocean, including the Bering Sea, Okhotsk Sea, and Sea of Japan. The genus contains commercially important species, particularly the red king crab (P. camtschaticus). These crabs undergo a biphasic life cycle with distinct larval stages (zoeae, glaucothoe) before reaching the juvenile phase. Molecular studies indicate that early larval stages lack adaptations to elevated temperature and hypoxia, requiring stable environmental conditions for survival.