Figure 015. Minuca burgersi

Alt Text: Composite photograph of the Minuca burgersi crab which includes several black & white images of different views of the crab, a color photograph, and a distribution map Composite Image Description: Figure 15. Minuca burgersi (Holthuis, 1967)*. UNI 207. Collected: 25-Nov-2008, USA, Puerto Rico, Toa Baja, Rio La Plata, mouth (18.4660138, -66.1999654). 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 species (< 20 mm). Carapace length about 65% width, frontal region 34% width (Fig. 15A). Carapace convex with shape almost trapezoidal or hexagonal. Surface smooth but uneven. Post-orbital depression deep. Antero-lateral angle pointed forward. Antero-lateral margins curving inward. Postero-lateral margins curving to midline. Manus finely granular. Dactyl and pollex blade-line, about same length as manus (Fig. 15B,C). Gap wide. Pollex nearly straight in larger specimens, single large tubercle at mid-length. Dactyl with moderate sized tubercles, four proximal and one distal. On inner manus, oblique ridge high terminating in carpal cavity, no carina lining (Fig. 15C). Carina following dorsal edge of cavity, distal end flexed toward dactyl articulation. Two pre-dactyl ridges present, lower ridge diverging outward then bend back toward articulation. On walking legs, merus width 37% length (Fig. 15E). Pubescence on dorsal surface of carpus and propodus, very few setae. Species is primarily distributed in eastern Mexico, central America, northern South America and Caribbean including south Florida (Fig. 15G). *This species is morphologically identical to Minuca panema (Coelho, 1972). Species best distinguished based on collecting location and DNA sequencing (Thurman et al. 2023).