Small European Locust Lobster

Biology

The small European locust lobster, with a size up to 25 centimetres, lives in holes in rocks but may also be found over soft sediment. It is clearly distinguished from other crustaceans because its second pair of antennae forms very wide lobes. This tiny lobster does not swim: it crawls along the bottom in search for food. In the Azores, it leaves the shore in October and migrates to deeper waters (more than 100 metres) until April, which is the time to return and breed.

Conservation

This species has a wide distribution, and it is harvested throughout its range, and known to be over-exploited locally in some regions. Is also threatened locally by habitat loss due to decreasing Posidonia fields. Despite these declines, high reproductive rates make them more resilient to threats.

Curiosities

When cooked, they a St. James (Santiago) cross appears on their backs, hence their name in some parts of Portugal (i.e. Santiago) and Spain (i.e. Santiaguiño).