Size

Carapace length: 1cm (0.4") Carapace width: 1.5cm (0.6").

Recognition Characters

Carapace is thinly covered on anterior 2/3 with long, fine hair. Upper surface of chelipeds and walking legs are similarly clothed. Anterolateral border has 4 spines including small outer orbital. Chelipeds are unequal, spinose, and granulate except for smooth and naked lower distal 2/3 of outer surface of major palm. Spines and granules are not arranged in rows on upper part of major palm.

Color

Body and claws are brownish-red, legs lighter. Fingers and extremities of spines are brown.

Habitat & Depth

Can be found intertidally on rocks, jetties, and piers. Offshore the crab inhabits sponges and corals on reefs.

Distribution at GRNMS

Occasional. Found inside or under sponges, tunicates, bryozoans. Commonly clings to Schizoporella floridana.

Geographic Range

North Carolina south to Brazil. Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico

Behavior & Notes

This species is not as common as P. sayi, although juveniles may be confused with P. sayi. The spines and tubercles of the major palm in P. sayi are arranged more or less in rows and encroach on the lower half of the distal end.

Synonyms

References

Williams 1984