Commercially-harvested
Guides
Cancer
Edible Crabs
Cancer is a genus of marine crabs in the family Cancridae, comprising eight extant species and three extinct species. The genus includes economically and ecologically important species such as the European edible crab (Cancer pagurus), Jonah crab (Cancer borealis), and red rock crab (Cancer productus). These crabs inhabit littoral and sublittoral zones of temperate and cold-temperate seas, primarily in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The genus is thought to have evolved from related Pacific Ocean genera during the Miocene epoch.
Menippe mercenaria
Florida Stone Crab
Menippe mercenaria is a commercially harvested brachyuran crab native to the western North Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. The species inhabits coastal marine environments including salt marshes and nearshore hard-bottom habitats. Research has documented sensitivity to reduced seawater pH, with acidic conditions elevating stress and reducing foraging activity. Larvae exhibit vertical swimming behavior in the water column. The species is known for frequent grooming behavior using third maxillipeds to maintain gill function.
Procambarus
crayfish, crawfish, crawdad
Procambarus is a genus of freshwater crayfish in the family Cambaridae, native to North and Central America. The genus contains approximately 160 species in 16 subgenera, making it one of the most species-rich crayfish genera. It includes both widespread surface-dwelling species and numerous troglobitic (cave-dwelling) species. The marbled crayfish (marmorkrebs), a parthenogenetic form, is also classified within this genus. Several species, particularly P. clarkii (red swamp crayfish), have been introduced globally and are recognized as invasive species with significant ecological and economic impacts.