Homarus gammarus, commonly known as the European lobster, is a species of decapod crustaceans belonging to the family Nephropidae and the order Decapoda. The scientific name ‘Homarus‘ derives from Latin, referring to the classical designation for large crustaceans, while ‘gammarus‘ alludes to a type of shrimp, highlighting its taxonomic relationship with other decapods. This species inhabits the northeastern Atlantic Ocean, from the coasts of Norway and the British Isles to the western Mediterranean, preferring rocky bottoms, crevices, and underwater caves at depths ranging from 4 to 50 meters.
Homarus gammarus is a large crustaceans that can reach up to 60 cm in length and weigh around 5–6 kg, although it can grow even larger under exceptional conditions. Its body is covered by a hard exoskeleton, typically dark blue or bluish-green with lighter spots, and a segmented abdomen. One of the most distinctive features of the European lobster is its two large, asymmetrical claws: one is thicker and stronger, used for crushing, while the other is slimmer and serrated, used for cutting and tearing prey. Unlike its close relative, the American lobster (Homarus americanus), H. gammarus tends to have a darker exoskeleton and lacks the reddish markings characteristic of its American counterpart.
Regarding its diet, Homarus gammarus is an opportunistic predator and scavenger. Its diet mainly includes molluscs, crustaceans, small fish, and marine worms, but it also feeds on organic detritus. It uses its powerful claws to catch and dismember prey, while its complex mouthparts allow it to crush and consume a wide range of food. In its environment, the European lobster plays an important role in regulating populations of invertebrates and small fish.
Reproduction in Homarus gammarus mainly occurs during the summer months. After a courtship that can last several weeks, females carry hundreds of thousands of fertilized eggs under their abdomen, attached to specialized structures called pleopods. These eggs remain there for several months until the larvae hatch, at which point the mother releases them by vigorously moving her pleopods. The newly hatched larvae are planktonic and go through several developmental stages before settling on the seabed and adopting a benthic lifestyle.
An interesting fact about Homarus gammarus is its longevity—it can live for more than 50 years under optimal conditions. It also has the ability to regenerate its claws and other limbs if lost, although this process requires several molts to complete. This species has great commercial importance, especially along European coasts, where it is harvested using traps for human consumption. Overfishing has led to the implementation of conservation measures, such as minimum landing sizes and the protection of berried females (those carrying eggs).
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