Arenaeus cribrarius (Lamarck, 1818)
Speckled swimming crab
Arenaeus cribrarius
photo by O'Keefe, Jo

Family:  Portunidae (swimming crabs)
Max. size:  14.1 cm CW (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; marine; dH range: 27.5 - 35; depth range 0 - 68 m
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: USA to Argentina.
Diagnosis:  Carapace more than twice as broad as long; 9 teeth on broadly arched anterolateral margin (outer orbital tooth and strong lateral spine included); front not so advanced as outer orbital teeth, bearing, between the inner orbital angles, one pair of bicuspid teeth (resulting from the coalition of 2 separate pairs). Convex dorsal surface finely granulate, fissures on orbital margin broadly open; lower surface of carapace hairy; pincers moderate-sized; legs rather short and broad, densely fringed with hairs; fifth legs flattened in form of paddles. Basal segment of abdomen produced on each side into a strong, sharp, slightly upcurved spine. Color: dorsal surface, including pincers, light reddish brown to olive brown covered with many small, rounded white spots, tips of walking legs yellow; color pattern persisting in alcohol.
Biology:  Minimum carapace width: 2.28 cm (Ref. 93549).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. 123251)
Threat to humans: 
Country info:   
 

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