Hailstone, 1835
Description:
Frontal region of carapace produced as a broad rostrum, each half moderately broad at base and tapering distally, postorbital spine laterally expanded, antorbital absent, a very small gap (at the most) between supraorbital eave and postorbital spine, many regions of carapace with boletate and some scutellate tubercles, cardiac region with a mid-anterior tubercle, intestinal region with a transverse row of flat, slightly confluent and well defined tubercles, sometimes with a cluster of smaller tubercles at each outer margin; second and third peduncular segments of antenna moderately broad, eyestalks concealed when retracted. Chelipeds equal in size; second to fifth pereiopods with segment margins slightly cristate, propodus and dactylus with short setae. Female chelipeds shorter and less robust than in male.
Size:
Carapace length up to 6 (13.4) mm.
Habitat:
Depth range from 18 to 73 metres, on hard ground and on hydroids, Eunicella, bryozoans and sponges. Ovigerous crabs February-June, larvae May.
Colour:
Carapace brownish, protogastric, metagastric and cardiac regions often pink or purple, pereiopods greyish yellow, tubercles brown.
Distribution:
East Channel, Channel Isles, Plymouth, Scilly Isles, Bristol Channel, Isle of Man, Galway Bay.