Size

Carapace Length: 2.5cm (1") Carapace Width: 3.5cm (1.5")

Recognition Characters

Anterior half of carapace is semicircular. Carapace is covered with long filiform and plumose hairs. Anteroloateral border has 4 marginal spines including outer orbital. Orbit armed with 3 long spines above, and 4 long and 2 to 4 short spines below. Superior surfaces of chelipeds and walking legs have many filiform and plumose hairs. Claws and carpus covered with many erect dark spines. Spines tend to be arranged in rows.

Color

Grayish brown irregularly suffused with red or purple on body. Spines are black or purple. Fingers of claws are black or brownish purple.

Habitat & Depth

Found in a variety of bottom habitats. Inhabit wrecks, reefs, rocks, and broken shelly bottoms.

Distribution at GRNMS

Common. Can be found inhabiting the inside of sponges, tunicates, and bryozoans.

Geographic Range

North Carolina south to the West Indies. Gulf of Mexico

Behavior & Notes

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. These characteristics help distinguish it from P. dasypodus.

Synonyms

References

Ruppert and Fox 1988, Williams 1984