Claw-dimorphism
Guides
Homarus
true lobsters, clawed lobsters
Homarus is a genus of large marine clawed lobsters containing two extant species: the American lobster (H. americanus) and the European lobster (H. gammarus). These are among the most commercially valuable crustaceans globally. The genus is distinguished by pronounced claw dimorphism, with one crushing claw and one cutting claw. Eight extinct species are known from the fossil record dating to the Cretaceous.