Arthropoda
Pilumnus pannosus
Size
Carapace Length: 1cm (0.4") Carapace Width: 1.5cm (0.6")
Recognition Characters
Carapace is about 3/4 long as wide, almost entirely covered with unevenly distributed, soft, thick velvety pubescence. Anterolateral margin of carapace has 4 triangular spines having slender forward-projecting tips. Chelipeds are large, somewhat unequal, and covered with small reduced tubercles but outer surface is smooth and naked.
Color
Tannish brown to brownish gray. Palms of chelipeds are bright red.
Habitat & Depth
Can be found intertidally on rocks, jetties, and piers. Offshore the crab inhabits sponges and corals on reefs. To 146m.
Distribution at GRNMS
Rare.
Geographic Range
Beaufort, North Carolina to Gulf of Mexico, West Indies to Virgin Islands
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
Williams 1984