Figure 21. Minuca pugnax

Alt Text: Composite photograph of the Minuca pugnax fiddler crab which includes several black & white images of different views of the crab, a color photograph, and a distribution map. Composite Image Description: Figure 21. Minuca pugnax (Smith, 1870). UNI 358. Collected: 15-Jul-2001, USA, Massachusetts, Lloyd Center, near Slocum River (41.5271500, -70.9832668). Scale Bar = 10mm. (A) Dorsal view. (B) Front view. (C) Inner cheliped. (D) Ocular view. (E) Ambulatory. (F) Color Photo. (G) Distribution Map (Finke 2024). Species Description: Moderate sized (< 20 mm). Carapace length 65% width; frontal region 38% carapace width. Eyestalks very short. Carapace smooth and swollen (Fig. 21 A). Antero-lateral margins curving inward, postero-lateral margin curving strongly toward center line. Dactyl and pollex blade-like and longer than manus (Fig. 21B,C). Distal dactyl overlapping pollex, a set of 3-4 large tubercles proximal near articulation (Fig. 21 C). Pollex almost straight with a central cluster of tubercles. Inner manus with strong oblique ridge converging at apex on carpal cavity (Fig. 21C). Carina of tubercles following cavity up to superior edge of cavity. Strong line of tubercles following gap to articulation. Merus of walking legs thin (Fig. 21 E); width 37% length with some pubescence and long setae. Found within the USA along Atlantic coast from northeast Florida to Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts (Fig. 21 G).