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Glite Dictionary
Macrocheira kaempferi

Macrocheira kaempferi

9.9
A very large crab from Japan with very long legs that lives in the deep sea
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Macrocheira kaempferi
  • The Macrocheira kaempferi is famous for having the longest leg span of any marine crab.

Examples

  • Visitors to the aquarium were amazed by the sheer size of the Macrocheira kaempferi.

  • Marine biologists study the Macrocheira kaempferi to better understand deep-sea ecosystems.

  • The Macrocheira kaempferi is known for its impressive size.

  • Have you ever seen a Macrocheira kaempferi in an aquarium?

  • The Macrocheira kaempferi, with its long legs, can reach a leg span of up to 12 feet.

  • Many tourists visit Japan to see the Macrocheira kaempferi during seafood festivals.

  • The Macrocheira kaempferi is often showcased in aquariums due to its unique appearance.

Synonyms

giant crab
vsMacrocheira kaempferi
4.1

A very large sea crab from Japan that lives in deep water with very long legs

is the scientific name for that same species
spider crab
vsMacrocheira kaempferi
6.3

A sea crab with very long legs and a small triangular body

is one specific Japanese deep-water species rather than a broader group

Surface Forms

Macrocheira kaempferi singular
Macrocheira kaempferis plural

Morphology

Macrocheira + kaempferi

This is a Latin binomial (genus + species). 'Macrocheira' transparently signals a large crab, but the species epithet 'kaempferi' is an opaque proper-name element that carries no predictable descriptive meaning for learners. A B1 learner who knows the parts could infer it is a kind of large crab, but would not derive the full specific sense (Japanese spider crab, long legs, deep-water) without prior exposure.

Etymology

Macrocheira kaempferi is a scientific name made of two parts: macro and cheira, meaning 'large' and 'hand', which paints the image of very long, hand-like legs. The second part, kaempferi, honors a naturalist named Kaempfer, so the whole name fits the giant Japanese spider crab we know today.