Paralithodes californiensis

Paralithodes californiensis
Rear view of Paralithodes californiensis
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Malacostraca
Order: Decapoda
Suborder: Pleocyemata
Infraorder: Anomura
Family: Lithodidae
Genus: Paralithodes
Species:
P. californiensis
Binomial name
Paralithodes californiensis
(Benedict, 1895)

Paralithodes californiensis, also known as the spiny king crab and the California king crab, is a species of king crab It is closely related to P. rathbuni with the same common names being used for the two and some authorities suggest that they might be conspecific. P. californiensis is found on muddy or rocky bottoms at depths of 145–300 m (476–984 ft) in the Pacific Ocean off southern California (Pismo Beach to San Diego).