Morphology data of Ucides cordatus
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 broadly egg-shaped, narrow posteriorly, its length slightly less than 4/5 of width, strongly convex longitudinally, nearly subcylindrical in midline, and smooth but with regions well outlined; lateral marginal ridges regularly curved, not divided into lobes, converging posteriorly; fronto-orbital distance (space between outer orbital angles) not more than 2/3 of maximum carapace width in adult males. Pincers elongate, usually somewhat dissimilar and unequal in both sexes, armed with sometimes strong spines or sharp tubercles on inner margins; fingers of major hand slightly longer than palm; dactyls of walking legs ridged but not spiny, legs of males bearing very low silky hairs. Color: carapace usually bluish with some yellowish areas, legs pinkish; hairs on legs grey to almost black, lateral margins of carapace dark in adults.
Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Ucides cordatus

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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