Arthropoda
Metoporhaphis calcarata
Size
Carapace Length inluding rostrum: to 2.4cm (0.95") Carapace Width: to 0.9cm (0.4")
Recognition Characters
Carapace is triangular, longer than broad, uneven, nodulose, each nodule sometimes surmounted by tubercle with soft hooked hairs. Rostrum is extremely long, may be longer than carapace, tapering to a point. Eyes protuberant, peduncles terminating in superior spinule projecting beyond cornea. Walking legs are extremely slender, meri with 1 conspicuous spine and 2 smaller spines at extremity. Chelipeds are of moderate length, twisted, stout in male and less than half as long as first walking legs. Merus has sharp terminal dorsal spine and row of smaller ventral spines.
Color
Dirty gray to lemon yellow
Habitat & Depth
Found among hydroids and fouling organisms of hard substrates. Ocean and high salinity estuaries. Shallow water to 90m.
Distribution at GRNMS
May be found in association with Eudendrium sp. Hydroid.
Geographic Range
Cape Hatteras, N.C. through Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Behavior & Notes
Synonyms
Williams 1984