Neolithodes diomedeae is a species of king crab which is found in the eastern Pacific Ocean, the southwestern Atlantic Ocean, and the Bellingshausen and Scotia Seas in the Southern Ocean. They occur from .

Diet

Neolithodes diomedeae are opportunistic, necrophagous scavengers. In the Gulf of California's abyssal plain, they live around hydrothermal vents and feed on organic material which falls from the pelagic zone.

Neolithodes diomedeae

Behavior

In deep-sea sedimentary habitats, young N. diomedeae have been found to have a symbiotic relationship with sea cucumbers, frequently situating themselves on or underneath members of the genus Scotoplanes. This relationship is hypothesized to be related to elevated food availability and shelter from predation. They have also shown an affinity for situating themselves on corals, especially as juveniles.

Neolithodes diomedeae

References

External links

King crabs

Crustaceans described in 1894

Crustaceans of the Pacific Ocean

Crabs of the Atlantic Ocean

Fauna of the Southern Ocean

Marine fauna of the Gulf of California

Neolithodes diomedeae