Distinguishing Characteristics |
Carapace broader than long, compressed; color brown, olive brown to reddish brown with white spots dorsally, yellowish to white underneath, sometimes with white irregular area in center of carapace; claws are long, color brown with white fingers, last pair of legs flattened into paddle-shaped appendages; 9 pair of spines (including the outer orbital spines) along the lateral edges of the carapace, the most posterior pair (the lateral spines) being the longest; 8 low blunt spines between the ocular orbits (including the inner orbit spines), the inner orbit spines bicuspid; spines on the inner margins of merus (arms of claws) and a small spine on inner and outer dorsal carpus (joint of claw). |
Similar Species |
Color pattern distinguishes the specked crab from other crabs, also the inner orbital spines are bicuspid, and has a spine on the inner carpus vs. outer carpus in other crabs. |
Habitat |
Shallow gulf, common in the surf, prefers sandy or muddy bottoms |
Maximum Size |
12 cm (4 3/4 in) carapace width |
Other Common Names |
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Previous Scientific Names |
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