Figure 011. Leptuca spinicarpa

Alt Text: Composite photograph of the Leptuca spinicarpa 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 11. Leptuca spinicarpa (Rathbun, 1900). UNI 590. Collected: 22-Jun-2011, USA, Alabama, Mobile Co., East Dauphin Island, Causeway (30.31233, -88.13845). Scale Bar =10mm. (A) Dorsal view. (B) Front view. (C) Inner cheliped. (D) Ocular view. (E) Ambulatory. (F) Spine (s) on the carpus of male. (G) Color Photo. (H) Distribution Map (Finke 2024). Species Description: Description. Moderate-sized species (width < 22 mm). Carapace length 68% width; frontal region about 34% carapace width (Fig. 11A,D). Eyestalks short. Carapace surface smooth but textured (Fig. 11A). H- depression prominent, very little pubescence on carapace. Carapace widest at antero-lateral angle. Lateral margins straight and parallel (Fig. 11A). Dactyl and pollex longer than manus (Fig. 11B,C). Gap large, small tubercles line dactyl and pollex. Most of large cheliped outer surface smooth. Pollex very straight. Obliques ridge of tubercles on inner surface of manus raised forming right angle in carpal cavity (Fig. 11C). Line of tubercles following gap margin on inner pollex. Carpus after large cheliped in male with prominent spine (Fig. 11Cs,Fs). Walking legs moderately setose, very little pubescence on dactyl and propodus (Fig. 11E). Merus width 41% length. Distributed along west coast of Gulf of Mexico from west Florida to the state of Tabasco, Mexico (Fig. 11H).