Figure 013. Leptuca thayeri

Alt Text: Composite photograph of the Leptuca thayeri 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 13. Leptuca thayeri (Rathbun, 1900). UNI 151. Collected: June- 2003, USA, Florida, Monroe Co., Chokoloskee Bay, West Everglades (25.818773, -81.359583). Scale Bar = 10 mm. (A) Dorsal view. (B) Front view. (C) Inner cheliped. (D) Ocular view. (E) Ambulatory. (F) Color Photo. (G) Distribution Map (Finke 2024). Species Description: Large species (width < 30 mm). Carapace shape near trapezoidal (Fig. 13A). Carapace length 66% width; frontal region 22% carapace width (Fig. 13A, D). Eyestalks moderate length. Lateral sides strongly angled inward Fig. 13A). Tufts of pubescence scattered along dorsal lateral margins. Dactyl and pollex 50% to 80% longer than manus (Fig. 13B,C). Pollex usually straight or bent downward, slightly (Fig. 13B). On inner surface of large cheliped, line of oval tubercles follow gap at edge of pollex (Fig. 13C). Gap moderately wide. Oblique ridge progresses to carpal cavity. It turns and follows carpal cavity a short distance. Merus segments of walking leg unusually wide; width (Fig. 13E). Merus width about 50% length; 56% in females, 47% in males. Pantropical species, found from south Florida and Yucatan peninsulas to Florianopolis, Brazil (Fig. 13G).