Figure 009. Leptuca pugilator

Alt Text: Composite photograph of the Leptuca pugilator 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 9. Leptuca pugilator (Bosc, 1802). UNI 397. Collected: 14-Aug-2005, USA, Florida, St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, near boat ramp on bay (29.764246, -85.402083) 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 (< 26 mm). Carapace length 71% width; frontal region about 37% carapace width (Fig. 9A, D). Eyestalks short. Dry carapace appears glossy; strongly convex (Fig. 9A). Antero-lateral angle weak and curved inward. Lateral lines curved (Fig. 9A). Dactyl and pollex longer than manus (Fig. 9B,C), both are broad, blade-like. Dactyl with more or less evenly distributed tubercles. Pollex with four large tubercles distributed distally (Fig. 9C). On inner surface long row of tubercles extend from near tip to articulation of dactyl (Fig. 9C). Distal tip of pollex serrated and angled. Distal dactyl overlaps end of pollex (Fig. 9c). No oblique tubercle ridge across inner surface of lower manus (Fig. 9C). Walking legs thin with a few long setae (Fig. 9E). Merus width 33% length: female 35%, male 31%. Distribution (Fig. 9G) entirely within USA from Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts to Pensacola, Florida.