Dungeness crab
| Dungeness crab | |
|---|---|
| Dungeness crab measuring 17 cm (6.7 in) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Malacostraca |
| Order: | Decapoda |
| Suborder: | Pleocyemata |
| Infraorder: | Brachyura |
| Family: | Cancridae |
| Genus: | Metacarcinus |
| Species: | M. magister |
| Binomial name | |
| Metacarcinus magister (Dana, 1852) | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Cancer magister Dana, 1852 | |
The Dungeness crab (Metacarcinus magister) makes up one of the most important seafood industries along the west coast of North America. Its typical range extends from Alaska's Aleutian Islands to Point Conception, near Santa Barbara, California. Dungeness typically grow 6–7 in (150–180 mm) at their widest point and inhabit eelgrass beds and sandy bottoms. Its common name comes from the Dungeness Spit in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Washington state, United States, which shelters a shallow bay inhabited by the crabs.