Mithraculus cinctimanus

Description

Mithraculus cinctimanus is a small crab with an oval carapace slightly longer than it is wide. The front third is slightly hairy and the surface of the hind two thirds is roughened by small tubercles. The front edge has several blunt spines. The colour of the carapace is variable often being olive brown with several large creamy patches. The legs have bands of the same colours and their outer segments are hairy. The fingers of the chelae do not completely close and have rounded tips. An adult Mithraculus cinctimanus is about 22 mm long.

Distribution

Mithraculus cinctimanus is found in the Caribbean region its range including Florida, the West Indies, Curaçao, Colombia and Venezuela.

Biology

Mithraculus cinctimanus feeds on filamentous green algae growing on rocks.

Ecology

Mithraculus cinctimanus is usually found living commensally with a sponge, coral or a sea anemone. The host is often the sun sea anemone Stichodactyla helianthus or in deeper water, the anemone Lebrunia danae.

References

References

1. Davie, Peter. (2012). "''Mithraculus cinctimanus'' Stimpson, 1860".
2. Colin, Patrick L.. (1978). "Marine Invertebrates and Plants of the Living Reef". T.F.H. Publications.
3. (2000). "''Mithraculus cinctimanus'' Stimpson, 1860 y ''Speloeophorus pontifer'' (Stimpson, 1871) (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura) dos nevas adiciones a la carcinofauna Venezolana". Boletín del Instituto Oceanográfico de Venezuela.
4. (11 January 2010). "''Mithraculus cinctimanus''". Coral morphologic.
5. (1976). "Initial characterization of the commensal complex associated with the anemone, ''Lebrunia danae'', at Grand Bahama". [[Bulletin of Marine Science]].