Paralithodes

Paralithodes is a genus of king crabs belonging to the family Lithodidae. These marine crustaceans are characterized by their large size, often with spiny or tuberculate carapaces. The genus currently contains two recognized species: Paralithodes californiensis and Paralithodes rathbuni. These crabs are found in the Pacific Ocean, with specific ranges varying between the two species. Paralithodes californiensis, for example, is found along the coast of California.

The morphology of Paralithodes crabs is typical of king crabs, featuring a broad, flattened body and five pairs of appendages. The first pair is modified into large, asymmetrical chelipeds (claws), which are used for defense and prey capture. The remaining four pairs of walking legs are used for locomotion. Like other decapods, they possess a hard exoskeleton that they shed periodically through a process called molting.

These crabs are primarily benthic, meaning they live on the seafloor, often inhabiting sandy or muddy substrates. Their diet typically consists of mollusks, worms, and other invertebrates. Due to their size and commercially valuable meat, some species of king crab, while not exclusively Paralithodes, are targeted by fisheries. However, Paralithodes species are not as commercially significant as some other king crab genera like Paralithodes.