Lobster
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.
Nephropidae
True Lobsters
Nephropidae is a family of large marine decapod crustaceans commonly known as true lobsters. Members possess a robust, elongated body with a well-developed carapace, large asymmetrical claws (chelipeds), and a muscular abdomen ending in a broad tail fan. The family includes commercially important species such as the European lobster (Homarus gammarus) and the Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus). Nephropidae is distinguished from other lobster-like crustaceans by specific morphological and reproductive characteristics.