Figure 018. Minuca minax

Alt Text: Composite photograph of the Minuca minax 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 18. Minuca minax (LeConte, 1855). UNI 562. Collected: Gulf of Mexico, United States, Louisiana, Iberia Parish, Louisa, intracoastal canal bridge on HWY 319 (29.771180, -91.784839). Range: East coast of United States (Cape Cod, MA to northeast Florida) and Gulf coast (west Florida to east Texas). Scale bar = 10mm. (A) Dorsal view. (B) Front view. (C) Inner cheliped. (D) Ocular view. (E) Ambulatory. (F) Comparison of legs between M. minax and M. longisignalis. (G) Color Photo. (H) Distribution Map (Finke 2024). Species Description: Large species < 39 mm; carapace length 69% width. Frontal region about 40% carapace width (Fig. 18A). Eyestalks very short. Antero-later angle not sharp and turned inward. Lateral margins strongly curve to mid-line of carapace. Dactyl and pollex very thick, heavy appearing (Fig. 18B, C). Articulation joints usually with red pigment (Fig. 18G). Gap large. Dactyl with numerous tubercles along length. Pollex with large central tubercle. Tubercles at distal end forming trifurcation. Upper manus with very large tubercles. Inner manus with definite oblique ridge with tubercles to carpal cavity (Fig. 18C). Ambulatory legs with slim merus; width 39% length. Dorsal surface with thick pile or pubescence. Ventral surface without pile or bristles but numerous long setae (Fig. 18E,F). Species distribution within USA along both Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts (Fig. 18H). In the northern Gulf of Mexico, this species is often confused with M. longisignalis. M. longisignalis has wider merus and pubescence and pile on underside merus (Fig. 18F). Oblique ridge is more distinct in M. minax (Fig. 18C).