As in many Lithodid crabs, the abdomen is broad and sculptured. The abdominal plates are softer in the middle. Note also the long bristly setae on the chelae.
Cryptolithodes sitchensis underside. Note that the propodus of the chela is smooth, and that the abdominal plates do not have raised margins. The underside of the carapace is nearly always white. Photo by Dave Cowles, July 2001
Rhinolithodes wosnessenskii approx 7 cm across carapace, captured by SCUBA off Sares Head August 2004 See below for more photos. Photo by: Dave Cowles August 2004
In this closeup of the face the small spinelike rostrum can be seen. Other features include the spine-tipped tubercles on the dorsal carapace and on the dorsal surfaces of the legs and chelae. Note that in Anomuran crabs the second antennae are based lateral to the eyes, as can be seen here. Photo by Will Duguid.
This species has a rostrum widest at the base, which helps distinguish this species from Cryptolithodes sitchensis. Note eyestalks projecting at the base of the rostrum. Photo by Dave Cowles, 2001
The abdomens of adult males and females differ in several ways. This is the abdomen of a female, which is shown above, is broader than that of a male and is asymmetrical. The plates on the left side of the female abdomen (to the right above) are larger than those on the left. The right side of the female abdomen also has a row of small marginal plates but the left side does not. The female also has pleopods on her abdomen, which cannot be seen without pulling the abdomen away from the thorax.