Editing Homarus gammarus

{{Short description|Species of lobster}}
{{Good article}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = ''Homarus gammarus''
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021">{{cite iucn |last=Butler |first=M. |author2=Cockcroft, A. |author3=MacDiarmid, A. |author4=Wahle, R. |date=2011 |title=''Homarus gammarus'' |volume=2011 |page=e.T169955A69905303 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-1.RLTS.T169955A69905303.en |access-date=19 November 2021}}</ref>
| image = kreeftbijDenOsse.jpg
| image_alt = A bluish lobster walks over the sea-floor. It uses four pairs of thin legs to walk, holding its large claws in front of it. Its tail extends straight behind it, while the long, red antennae jut forwards from its head.
| taxon = Homarus gammarus
| authority = ([[Carl Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], [[10th edition of Systema Naturae|1758]])
| synonyms =
*''Cancer gammarus'' <small>Linnaeus, 1758</small>
*''Astacus marinus'' <small>Fabricius, 1775</small>
*''Astacus gammarus'' <small>Pennant, 1777</small>
*''Homarus marinus'' <small>Weber, 1795</small>
*''Astacus europaeus'' <small>Couch, 1837</small>
*''Homarus vulgaris'' <small>H.&nbsp;Milne-Edwards, 1837</small>
| synonyms_ref = <ref name="MLW"/>
}}

'''''Homarus gammarus''''', known as the '''European lobster''' or '''common lobster''', is a species of [[lobster|clawed lobster]] from the eastern Atlantic Ocean, [[Mediterranean Sea]] and parts of the [[Black Sea]]. It is closely related to the [[American lobster]], ''H.&nbsp;americanus''. It may grow to a length of {{convert|60|cm|abbr=on}} and a mass of {{convert|6|kg}}, and bears a conspicuous pair of [[claw]]s. In life, the lobsters are blue, only becoming "lobster red" on cooking. [[Mating]] occurs in the summer, producing [[egg (biology)|eggs]] which are carried by the females for up to a year before hatching into [[plankton]]ic [[crustacean larvae|larvae]]. ''Homarus gammarus'' is a highly esteemed food, and is widely [[lobster fishing|caught]] using [[lobster trap|lobster pots]], mostly around the [[British Isles]].

==Description==
[[File:Homarus gammarus 01.JPG|thumb|left|On this European lobster, the right claw (on the left side of the image) is the ''crusher'' and the left claw is the ''cutter''.|alt=A blue-coloured lobster face-on: the claws are raised and open. The inside edges of the stocky right claw are covered in rounded protrusions, while the left claw is slightly slimmer and has sharp teeth.]]
''Homarus gammarus'' is a large [[crustacean]], with a body length up to {{convert|60|cm}} and weighing up to {{convert|5|-|6|kg}}, although the lobsters caught in [[lobster trap|lobster pots]] are usually {{convert|23|-|38|cm|0|abbr=on}} long and weigh {{convert|0.7|-|2.2|kg|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.glaucus.org.uk/Lobster.htm |title=European lobster: notes on the sizes of ''Homarus gammarus'' |publisher=British Marine Life Study Society |access-date=October 14, 2010}}</ref> Like other crustaceans, lobsters have a hard [[exoskeleton]] which they must shed in order to grow, in a process called [[ecdysis]] (molting).<ref name="CEFAS"/> This may occur several times a year for young lobsters, but decreases to once every 1–2 years for larger animals.<ref name="CEFAS"/>

The first pair of [[pereiopod]]s is armed with a large, asymmetrical pair of [[feet]].<ref name="MLW"/> The larger one is the "crusher", and has rounded nodules used for crushing prey; the other is the "cutter", which has sharp inner edges, and is used for holding or tearing the prey.<ref name="CEFAS">{{cite web |title=Store and care of live lobsters |first1=T. W. |last1=Beard |first2=D. |last2=McGregor |work=Laboratory Leaflet Number 66 (Revised) |publisher=[[Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science]] |location=[[Lowestoft]] |year=2004 |url=http://www.cefas.co.uk/publications/lableaflets/lableaflet66rev.pdf |access-date=September 30, 2010}}</ref> Usually, the left claw is the crusher, and the right is the cutter.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.national-aquarium.co.uk/news/3 |title=Orange lobster with two sharp claws is one in a million (or more) |publisher=[[National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth|National Marine Aquarium]] |access-date=September 29, 2010}}</ref>

The [[exoskeleton]] is generally blue above, with spots that coalesce, and yellow below.<ref name="Hayward">{{cite book |editor1=P. J. Hayward |editor2=John Stanley Ryland |year=1995 |title=Handbook of the marine fauna of north-west Europe |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |isbn=978-0-19-854055-7 |chapter=Crustaceans (Phylum Crustacea) |author1=P. J. Hayward |author2=M. J. Isaac |author3=P. Makings |author4=J. Mayse |author5=E. Naylor |author6=G. Smaldon |pages=289–461 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sZ8mdRT4jbIC&pg=PA430}}</ref> The red colour associated with lobsters only appears after cooking.<ref name="Davidson">{{cite book |first=Alan |last=Davidson |year=2004 |title=North Atlantic Seafood: A Comprehensive Guide with Recipes |publisher=[[Ten Speed Press]] |isbn=978-1-58008-450-5 |chapter=Lobster (both European and American) |pages=188–189 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hFhjGhkAqZ0C&pg=PA188}}</ref> This occurs because, in life, the red [[pigment]] [[astaxanthin]] is bound to a [[protein complex]], but the complex is broken up by the heat of cooking, releasing the red pigment.<ref>{{cite book |editor=Rudolf Kreuzer |year=2008 |title=Freezing and Irradiation of Fish |publisher=Read Books |isbn=978-1-4437-6734-7 |chapter=Freezing of Shellfish |first=P. |last=Hansen |first2=J. |last2=Aagaard |pages=147–158 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XSywgA8ZVYgC&pg=PA149}}</ref>

The closest relative of ''H.&nbsp;gammarus'' is the [[American lobster]], ''Homarus americanus''. The two species are very similar, and can be crossed artificially, although [[Hybrid (biology)|hybrids]] are unlikely to occur in the wild since their ranges do not overlap.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.imr.no/nyhetsarkiv/2010/mai/sensasjonell_hybrid_i_hummarverda/en |title=Unique lobster hybrid |first=Marie |last=Hauge |date=May 2010 |publisher=[[Norwegian Institute of Marine Research]] |access-date=September 30, 2010 |archive-date=October 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018185420/http://www.imr.no/nyhetsarkiv/2010/mai/sensasjonell_hybrid_i_hummarverda/en |url-status=dead }}</ref> The two species can be distinguished by a number of characteristics:<ref name="CEFAS"/>
*The [[rostrum (anatomy)|rostrum]] of ''H.&nbsp;americanus'' bears one or more spines on the underside, which are lacking in ''H.&nbsp;gammarus''.
*The spines on the claws of ''H.&nbsp;americanus'' are red or red-tipped, while those of ''H.&nbsp;gammarus'' are white or white-tipped.
*The underside of the claw of ''H.&nbsp;americanus'' is orange or red, while that of ''H.&nbsp;gammarus'' is creamy white or very pale red.

==Life cycle==
[[File:Homarus gammarus zoea.jpg|thumb|right|[[Zoea]] larva of ''Homarus gammarus''|alt=A grey-green translucent animal is seen from the side. The eye is large and shining, and is in a recess of the large carapace and its long rostrum. An abdomen, similar in length to the carapace, projects from the rear, and below the carapace, there is a mass of legs, some with small claws.]]
Female ''H.&nbsp;gammarus'' reach [[sexual maturity]] when they have grown to a carapace length of {{convert|80|-|85|mm}}, whereas males mature at a slightly smaller size.<ref name="CEFAS"/> [[Mating]] typically occurs in summer between a recently moulted female, whose shell is therefore soft, and a hard-shelled male.<ref name="CEFAS"/> The female carries the [[egg (biology)|eggs]] attached to her [[pleopod]]s for up to 12 months, depending on the temperature.<ref name="CEFAS"/> Females carrying eggs are said to be "berried" and can be found throughout the year.<ref name="MLW"/>

The eggs hatch at night, and the [[crustacean larvae|larvae]] swim to the water surface where they drift with the [[ocean current]]s, preying on [[zooplankton]].<ref name="CEFAS"/> This stage involves three [[ecdysis|moults]] and lasts for 15–35 days. After the third moult, the [[juvenile (organism)|juvenile]] takes on a form closer to the adult, and adopts a [[Benthos|benthic lifestyle]].<ref name="CEFAS"/> The juveniles are rarely seen in the wild, and are poorly known, although they are known to be capable of digging extensive [[burrow]]s.<ref name="CEFAS"/> It is estimated that only 1 larva in every 20,000 survives to the benthic phase.<ref name="NLH">{{cite web|url=http://www.nationallobsterhatchery.co.uk/education/lobster-biology.htm |title=Biology of the European lobster, ''Homarus gammarus'' |publisher=UK [[National Lobster Hatchery]] |access-date=November 14, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114121433/http://www.nationallobsterhatchery.co.uk/education/lobster-biology.htm |archive-date=November 14, 2012 }}</ref> When they reach a carapace length of {{convert|15|mm|abbr=on}}, the juveniles leave their burrows and start their adult lives.<ref name="NLH"/>

==Distribution==
[[File:Tommerasfjorden-tysfjorden-ofoten-nordland.jpg|thumb|left|[[Tysfjorden]], along with neighbouring [[fjord]]s in [[Northern Norway]], is home to the world's northernmost populations of ''H.&nbsp;gammarus''.|alt=A calm body of water snakes away between steep slopes.]]
''Homarus gammarus'' is found across the north-eastern Atlantic Ocean from northern Norway to the [[Azores]] and [[Morocco]], not including the [[Baltic Sea]]. It is also present in most of the [[Mediterranean Sea]], only missing from the section east of [[Crete]], and along only the south-west coast of the [[Black Sea]].<ref name="MLW">{{cite book |url=http://nlbif.eti.uva.nl/bis/lobsters.php?menuentry=soorten&id=89 |chapter=''Homarus gammarus'' |page=60 |title= FAO Species Catalogue, Volume 13: Marine Lobsters of the World |first=Lipke B. |last=Holthuis |publisher=[[Food and Agriculture Organization]] |year=1991 |isbn=92-5-103027-8 |series=FAO Fisheries Synopsis No. 125 |author-link=Lipke Holthuis |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100910101108/http://nlbif.eti.uva.nl/bis/lobsters.php?menuentry=soorten |archive-date=September 10, 2010 |access-date=September 30, 2010}}</ref> The northernmost populations are found in the Norwegian [[fjord]]s [[Tysfjorden]] and [[Folda, Nordland|Nordfolda]], inside the [[Arctic Circle]].<ref name="Fjord">{{cite journal |author1=Ann-Lisbeth Agnalt |author2=Eva Farestveit |author3=Kaare Gundersen |author4=Knut E. Jørstad |author5=Tore S. Kristiansen |year=2009 |title=Population characteristics of the world's northernmost stocks of European lobster (''Homarus gammarus'') in Tysfjord and Nordfolda, northern Norway |journal=[[New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research]] |volume=43 |issue=1 |pages=47–57 |doi=10.1080/00288330909509981|s2cid=84360568 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

The species can be divided into four [[genetics|genetically]] distinct populations, one widespread population, and three which have diverged due to small [[effective population size]]s, possibly due to [[adaptation]] to the local environment.<ref name="Genimpact">{{cite web |url=http://genimpact.imr.no/__data/page/7650/european_lobster.pdf |title=European lobster ''Homarus gammarus'' |work=Genetic Impact of Aquaculture Activities on Native Populations |access-date=September 29, 2010 |pages=91–98 |author1=P. A. Prodöhl |author2=K. E. Jørstad |author3=A. Triantafyllidis |author4=V. Katsares |author5=C. Triantaphyllidis |publisher=[[Norwegian Institute of Marine Research]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724180135/http://genimpact.imr.no/__data/page/7650/european_lobster.pdf |archive-date=July 24, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The first of these is the population of lobsters from northern Norway, which have been referred to as the "midnight-sun lobster".<ref name="Fjord"/> The populations in the Mediterranean Sea are distinct from those in the Atlantic Ocean. The last distinct population is found in part of the Netherlands: samples from the [[Oosterschelde]] were distinct from those collected in the [[North Sea]] or [[English Channel]].<ref name="Genimpact"/><ref>{{cite journal |author1=A. Triantafyllidis |author2=A. P. Apostolidis |author3=V. Katsares |author4=E. Kelly |author5=J. Mercer |author6=M. Hughes |author7=K. E. Jørstad |author8=A. Tsolou |author9=R. Hynes |author10=C. Triantaphyllidis |year=2005 |title=Mitochondrial DNA variation in the European lobster (''Homarus gammarus'') throughout the range |journal=[[Marine Biology (journal)|Marine Biology]] |volume=146 |issue=2 |pages=223–235 |doi=10.1007/s00227-004-1435-2|s2cid=83871032 }}</ref>

Attempts have been made to introduce ''H.&nbsp;gammarus'' to New Zealand, alongside other European species such as the edible crab, ''[[Cancer pagurus]]''. Between 1904 and 1914, one million lobster [[crustacean larvae|larvae]] were released from [[hatchery|hatcheries]] in [[Dunedin]], but the species did not become established there.<ref>{{cite book |editor1=Rob Allen |editor2=William George Lee |year=2006 |title=Biological Invasions in New Zealand |series=Volume 186 of Ecological studies |publisher=[[Springer Science+Business Media|Springer Verlag]] |isbn=978-3-540-30022-9 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=L8R8k4m4wlEC&pg=PA127 |chapter=Are the marine biotas of island ecosystems more vulnerable to invasion? |author1=G. J. Inglis |author2=B. J. Hayden |author3=W. A. Nelson |pages=119–135}}</ref>

==Ecology==
Adult ''H.&nbsp;gammarus'' live on the [[continental shelf]] at depths of {{convert|0|-|150|m}}, although not normally deeper than {{convert|50|m|abbr=on}}.<ref name="MLW"/> They prefer hard [[substrate (biology)|substrates]], such as rocks or hard mud, and live in holes or crevices, emerging at night to feed.<ref name="MLW"/>

The diet of ''H.&nbsp;gammarus'' mostly consists of other benthic [[invertebrate]]s. These include [[crab]]s, [[Mollusca|molluscs]], [[sea urchin]]s, [[starfish]] and [[polychaete|polychaete worms]].<ref name="NLH"/>

The three clawed lobster species ''Homarus gammarus'', ''[[American lobster|H.&nbsp;americanus]]'' and ''[[Nephrops norvegicus]]'' are hosts to the three known species of the animal phylum [[Cycliophora]]; the species on ''H.&nbsp;gammarus'' [[undescribed species|has not been described]].<ref>{{cite journal |first=Jessica M. |last=Baker |first2=Gonzalo |last2=Giribet |year=2007 |title=A molecular phylogenetic approach to the phylum Cycliophora provides further evidence for cryptic speciation in ''Symbion americanus'' |journal=[[Zoologica Scripta]] |volume=36 |issue=4 |pages=353–359 |doi=10.1111/j.1463-6409.2006.00288.x|s2cid=84418494 }}</ref>

''Homarus gammarus'' is susceptible to the disease [[gaffkaemia]], caused by the [[bacterium]] ''[[Aerococcus viridans]]''.<ref name="CEFAS"/> Although it is frequently found in [[American lobster]]s, the disease has only been seen in captive ''H.&nbsp;gammarus'', where prior occupation of the tanks by ''H.&nbsp;americanus'' could not be ruled out.<ref name="CEFAS"/>

==Human consumption==
{{Main|Lobster#As food}}
[[File:Lobster pots at Craster harbour - 2005-06-25.jpg|thumb|right|[[Lobster trap|Lobster pots]] on the harbour wall at [[Craster]], [[Northumberland]]|alt=Lobster pots stand on top of each other, in four rows of 6, 7, 8 and 9, respectively. Each has a wooden base and a metal hoop at either end and a crossbar, which collectively hold up a cover of netting.]]
''Homarus gammarus'' is traditionally "highly esteemed" as a foodstuff and was mentioned in "[[The Crabfish]]" a seventeenth century English [[folk song]].<ref>''[[Bishop Percy's Folio]] Manuscript: loose and humorous songs'' ed. Frederick J. Furnivall. London, 1868</ref> It may fetch very high prices<ref name="MLW"/> and may be sold fresh, frozen, canned or powdered.<ref name="MLW"/> Both the claws and the abdomen of ''H.&nbsp;gammarus'' contain "excellent" [[white meat]],<ref name="Davidson_Mediterranean">{{cite book |first=Alan |last=Davidson |year=2002 |title=Mediterranean Seafood: A Comprehensive Guide with Recipes |edition=3rd |publisher=[[Ten Speed Press]] |isbn=978-1-58008-451-2 |chapter=Lobster |page=178 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=r5To-F4DKRcC&pg=PA178}}</ref> and most of the contents of the [[cephalothorax]] are edible. The exceptions are the [[gastric mill]] and the "sand vein" ([[gut (zoology)|gut]]).<ref name="Davidson_Mediterranean"/> The price of ''H.&nbsp;gammarus'' is up to three times higher than that of ''H.&nbsp;americanus'', and the European species is considered to be more flavorful.<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Sara Barrento |author2=António Marques |author3=Bárbara Teixeira |author4=Paulo Vaz-Pires |author5=Maria Leonor Nunes |year=2009 |title=Nutritional quality of the edible tissues of European lobster ''Homarus gammarus'' and American lobster ''Homarus americanus'' |journal=[[Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry]] |volume=57 |issue=9 |pages=3645–3652 |doi=10.1021/jf900237g |pmid=19334784}}</ref>

Lobsters are mostly [[lobster fishing|fished]] using [[lobster trap|lobster pots]], although [[Handline fishing|lines]] [[Fishing bait|baited]] with [[octopus]] or [[cuttlefish]] sometimes succeed in tempting them out, to allow them to be caught in a net or by hand.<ref name="MLW"/> In 2008, 4,386&nbsp;t of ''H.&nbsp;gammarus'' were caught across Europe and North Africa, of which 3,462&nbsp;t (79%) was caught in the [[British Isles]] (including the [[Channel Islands]]).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fao.org/fishery/statistics/global-production/en |title=Fishery Statistical Collections. Global Production |work=Fisheries Global Information System |publisher=[[Food and Agriculture Organization]] |access-date=September 30, 2010}}</ref> The [[minimum landing size]] for ''H.&nbsp;gammarus'' is a carapace length of {{convert|87|mm|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web|title=Minimum fish sizes |url=http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/fisheries/documents/fisheries/minimumfishsizes.pdf |archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20091106034638/http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/fisheries/documents/fisheries/minimumfishsizes.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 6, 2009 |publisher=[[Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs]] |access-date=September 30, 2010 }}</ref> To protect known breeding females, lobsters caught carrying eggs are to be notched on a uropod, the inner tail flap of female lobsters of reproductive size (usually above the minimum landing size 87mm carapace length). Following this, it is illegal for the female to be kept or sold, and is commonly referred to as a "v-notch". This notch remains for three molts of the lobster exoskeleton, providing harvest protection and continued breeding availability for 3–5 years.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Lobsters and Crawfish (Prohibition of Fishing and Landing) Order 2000|url=http://extwprlegs1.fao.org/docs/html/uk19828.htm|publisher=Crown Copyright 2000|access-date=28 December 2017|ref=ISBN 0 11 099017 X|archive-date=4 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221204214005/http://extwprlegs1.fao.org/docs/html/uk19828.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[Aquaculture]] systems for ''H.&nbsp;gammarus'' are under development, and production rates are still very low.<ref name="Genimpact"/>

==Taxonomic history==
''Homarus gammarus'' was first given a [[binomial nomenclature|binomial name]] by [[Carl Linnaeus]] in the [[10th edition of Systema Naturae|tenth edition]] of his ''[[Systema Naturae]]'', published in 1758. That name was ''Cancer gammarus'', since Linnaeus' concept of the genus ''[[Cancer (genus)|Cancer]]'' at that time included all large crustaceans.<ref>{{cite book |first=Geoff |last=Boxshall |year=2007 |chapter=Crustacean classification: on-going controversies and unresolved problems |pages=313–325 |chapter-url=http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2007f/z01668p325f.pdf |editor1=Z.-Q. Zhang |editor2=W. A. Shear |title=Linnaeus Tercentenary: Progress in Invertebrate Taxonomy}}</ref>

''H.&nbsp;gammarus'' is the [[type species]] of the genus ''[[Homarus]]'' <small>Weber, 1795</small>, as determined by Direction 51 of the [[International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Official Lists and Indexes of Names in Zoology |date=March 31, 2010 |publisher=[[International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature]] |access-date=October 14, 2010 |url=http://www.nhm.ac.uk/hosted_sites/iczn/lists&indexes.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090630081607/http://www.nhm.ac.uk/hosted_sites/iczn/lists%26indexes.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 30, 2009 }}</ref> Prior to that direction, confusion arose because the species had been referred to by several different names, including ''Astacus marinus'' <small>Fabricius, 1775</small> and ''Homarus vulgaris'' <small>H.&nbsp;Milne-Edwards, 1837</small>, and also because [[Friedrich Weber (entomologist)|Friedrich Weber's]] description of the genus had been overlooked until rediscovered by [[Mary J. Rathbun]], rendering any prior assignments of type species (for ''Homarus'' <small>H.&nbsp;Milne-Edwards, 1837</small>) invalid for ''Homarus'' <small>Weber, 1795</small>.<ref>{{cite journal |first=Francis |last=Hemming |year=1955 |title=Proposed adoption of a 'Declaration' clarifying Rule (g) in Article 30 in relation to the selection of the type species of a genus in a case where the nominal species so selected, though not itself cited at the time of the establishment of the genus in question, is objectively identical with another nominal species which was so cited |journal=[[Bulletin of Zoological Nomenclature]] |volume=11 |issue=3 |pages=86–89 |doi=10.5962/bhl.part.2824 |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/44292#148|doi-access=free }}</ref>

The [[type (biology)|type specimen]] of ''Homarus gammarus'' was a [[lectotype]] selected by [[Lipke Holthuis]] in 1974. It came from {{coord|57|53|N|11|32|E}}, near [[Marstrand]], Sweden ({{convert|48|km|disp=or}} northwest of [[Gothenburg]]), but both it and the [[paralectotype]]s have since been lost.<ref name="MLW"/>

The [[common name]] for ''H.&nbsp;gammarus'' preferred by the [[Food and Agriculture Organization]] is "European lobster",<ref name="MLW"/> but the species is also widely known as the "common lobster".<ref name="Hayward"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arkive.org/common-lobster/homarus-gammarus/ |title=Common lobster (''Homarus gammarus'') |publisher=[[ARKive]] |access-date=September 30, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110111092519/http://www.arkive.org/common-lobster/homarus-gammarus/ |archive-date=2011-01-11 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

== Further reading ==

{{refbegin}}

* {{Cite web |last1=Monaco |first1=Emily |title=France's illustrious blue 'Breton lobster' |work=BBC |date=2023-07-14 |url=https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20230712-frances-illustrious-blue-breton-lobster |language=en |access-date=2023-09-14 |df=mdy-all }}

{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Crustaceans}}
* {{Commons category-inline|Homarus gammarus|''Homarus gammarus''}}
* {{SealifePhotos|107253}}

{{Edible crustaceans}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q27690}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Crustaceans described in 1758]]
[[Category:Commercial crustaceans]]
[[Category:Crustaceans of the Atlantic Ocean]]
[[Category:Edible crustaceans]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus]]
[[Category:True lobsters]]