Size
Carapace width: 4cm (1.6") Carapace length (including spinges): 4.7cm (2")
Recognition Characters
Carapace is irregularly triangular. Body and legs have velvety covering of short hairs. Middorsal region is much elevated and bearing 4 low, rounded tubercles. Postlateral portion of carapace ends in three prominent spines. Rostrum is divided into 2 horns. Chelipeds are narrow and long as carapace. Walking legs are slender and slightly nodose.
Color
Hairs are yellowish or reddish brown, scarlet vermilion.
Habitat & Depth
Associated with seaweeds in harbors, Sargassum offshore. Also found on pilings, mangroves roots, coarse coral sand or broken shell bottoms. Shallow water to 82m.
Distribution at GRNMS
May be found on floating mats of Sargassum or on old remnant scallop beds surrounding reefs.
Geographic Range
Beaufort, North Carolina to Biscayne Bay, Florida, West Indies to Brazil, Gulf of Mexico
Behavior & Notes
Tubercles and anterior spines can vary in shape, form, and length.
Synonyms
Williams 1984