Morphology data of Callinectes larvatus
Identification keys
Main Ref. Tavares, M., 2003
Appearance refers to

Sex attributes

specialized organs
different appearance
different colors
remarks

Descriptive characteristics of juvenile and adult

Striking features
Body shape lateral
Cross section
Dorsal head profile
Type of eyes
Type of mouth/snout
Position of mouth
Diagnosis Carapace slightly more than twice as broad as long; 9 teeth on arched anterolateral margin (outer orbital tooth and strong lateral spine included), second to eighth usually trending forward, without shoulders, anterior margins concave except first 2; front (excluding outer orbital angles) bearing 4 teeth, inner pair small but definitely formed. Anterior half of convex dorsal surface coarsely granulate, variably finer and more numerous granules on posterior on posterior part and in transverse lines; central trapezoidal (metagastric) area short and wide (anterior width about 2.4 times, posterior width about 1.5 times length). Pincers dissimilar, ridged longitudinally, fingers compressed but broadened dorsoventrally producing pointed spatulate shape; fifth legs flattened in form fifth legs flattened in form of paddles. Male with T-shaped abdomen reaching slightly beyond suture between thoracic sternites 4 and 5, sixth segment nearly parallel-sided but broadened proximally; first pleopods short, reaching about midlength of sternite 7, approximately each other or occasionally overlapping at level of abrupt curve beyond which short terminal part tapers to rather sharp tip; armed with minute scattered retrogressive spinules distally. Color: carapace brown with areas of bluish black. Chelae brown above; fingers dark on external face except for tips and proximal portion, internal face dark in distal 2/3; dark color of fingers retained in preservation.
Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Callinectes larvatus

Lateral Lines Interrupted: No
Scales on lateral line
Pored lateral line scales
Scales in lateral series
Scale rows above lateral line
Scale rows below lateral line
Scales around caudal peduncle
Barbels
Gill clefts (sharks/rays only)
Gill rakers
on lower limb
on upper limb
total
Vertebrae
preanal
total

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

Attributes
Fins number
Finlets No. Dorsal   
Ventral  
Spines total
Soft-rays total
Adipose fin

Caudal fin

Attributes

Anal fin(s)

Fins number
Spines total
Soft-rays total

Paired fins

Pectoral Attributes  
spines     
soft-rays   
Pelvics Attributes  
Position    
spines     
soft-rays   
Ref. [ e.g. 3742]
Glossary [ e.g. cnidaria]
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