Homarus gammarus

Overview

This lobster is blue and spotted above and yellowish beneath. The first pair of walking legs bears large claws of unequal size, and the body lacks prominent ridges or spines. Large eyes, a short spiny rostrum and an antennal scale aid identification.

MarLIN describes rocky seabeds where individuals shelter in holes and tunnels they excavate, from the lower shore to around 60 metres, and records occurrence around British and Irish coasts.

The FAO species catalogue confirms the original combination Cancer gammarus, published in the tenth edition of Systema Naturae (1758, volume one, page 631). This is a nomenclatural history of the same species, not a separate taxon.

Origins & earliest records

Originally named Cancer gammarus by Linnaeus in 1758; this records naming, not evolutionary origin. Original type material was not examined.

Evidence & interpretation

MarLIN species account and an excerpt of the FAO species catalogue (PDF p.11, Figure 110), which serves as an independent taxonomic witness.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

1. 01

   Homarus gammarus (Linnaeus, 1758)

   L. B. Holthuis · 1991

   Selected bibliography; FAO illustrated species catalogue entry, excerpt consulted only.

2. 02

   Common lobster (Homarus gammarus)

   · 2008

   Selected bibliography; MarLIN institutional species account.

Family, evolution & connections

Taxonomic classification

A hierarchy of classified groups, not a chain of direct ancestors.

Source note: Only the species and its original combination Cancer gammarus are source-established here; family and higher ranks were not stated in the supplied material.

1. SpeciesHomarus gammarus

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

1. Institutional species accountCommon lobster (Homarus gammarus)Research access: 2026-10-07
2. FAO species catalogueHomarus gammarus (Linnaeus, 1758)Research access: 2026-10-07
3. Primary scientific publicationMarine lobsters of the world: bibliographic front matterResearch access: 2026-10-07

Image credits

A black lobster silhouette seen from above, with two large claws, long antennae, walking legs and a tail fan.

Attributed silhouette illustration labelled Homarus gammarus by the source; it shows an outline, without colour or diagnostic detail.