Shanghai hairy crab - Definition

The Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis), also known as Shanghai hairy crab, is a small crab found in the coastal estuaries of eastern Asia from Korea in the north to the Fujian province of China in the south.

Its distinguishing features are the dense patches of dark hair on its claws. The crab's body is the size of a human palm.

This species is very invasive and has spread to North America and Europe where it has done major damage to the local ecosystems. Besides competing with local species, its burrowing nature has damaged embankments and well as clogged drainage systems. It is believed that the crabs migrated through the release of bilge water from ships.

The crab is the most famous delicacy in Shanghai cuisine. Over-fishing in the Yangtze river estuary has kept the crab population low there. Yangcheng Lake is the most famous area for the crabs.

External links

• http://www.issg.org/database/species/ecology.asp?si=38&fr=1&sts=
• http://www.nhm.ac.uk/zoology/crab
• http://www.wsg.washington.edu/outreach/mas/nis/mittencrab.html