Role of Atlantic rock crab in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence ecosystem

As prey

Important prey in ecosystem.

Larval stage:

• Gaspereau, herring, mackerel , windowpane flounder

Small rock crabs

• Rock crab, lobster, lady crab, cunner, longhorn sculpin, shorthorn sculpin, winter skate, thorny skate, winter flounder
• One of the main prey of lobster

As predator

Generalist and opportunistic foragers.

Feed on:

• Crustaceans, mainly rock crab and shrimp
• Fish, bivalve molluscs and marine worms