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Image of <i>Metacarcinus gracilis</i> Schweitzer & Feldmann 2000

Metacarcinus gracilis Schweitzer & Feldmann 2000

Comprehensive Description

provided by Invertebrates of the Salish Sea
Biology/Natural History: This species is a scavenger, or eats small invertebrates. Predators include staghorn sculpin, starry flounder, the seastar Astropecten verrelli, and the giant octopus Enteroctopus dofleini. Females usually are found buried in the mud. Seasonally found in bays but cannot osmoregulate and does not tolerate brackish conditions. In Puget Sound eggs were borne from December to April. Males protect females after mating. Megalopae and juveniles often cling to large jellyfish such as Pelagia colorata.
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Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory
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Dave Cowles
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Invertebrates of the Salish Sea

Habitat

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Mainly subtidal on sand and mud, sometimes near eelgrass beds. May be on pilings.
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Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory
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Dave Cowles
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Invertebrates of the Salish Sea

Distribution

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Geographical Range: Prince William Sound, Alaska to Baja California, Mexico
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Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory
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Dave Cowles
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Invertebrates of the Salish Sea

Habitat

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Depth Range: Intertidal to 174 m
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Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory
editor
Dave Cowles
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Invertebrates of the Salish Sea

Comprehensive Description

provided by Invertebrates of the Salish Sea
As with all Cancer crabs, this species has 5 teeth between the eyes. Its carapace is widest at the 9th tooth lateral to the eyes, and behind this point there is a distinct 10th tooth. The tips of the chelae are white, and there are no spiny ridges on the carpus, propodus, and dactyl of the chelae. The carapace is slightly convex dorsally. The dactyls of the pereopods are cylindrical. The dorsal surface of the upper part of the legs is purple in many individuals. Carapace width to 11.5 cm or 10.6 cm but usually not over 6 cm.
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Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory
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Dave Cowles
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Invertebrates of the Salish Sea

Look Alikes

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How to Distinguish from Similar Species: Metacarcinus magister has a carapace widest at the 10th tooth, with no teeth behind that point, and also has spiny ridges on the carpus, propodus, and dactyl of the chela. It also has more flattened dactyls on the pereopods and the dorsal surface of the upper parts of the legs is not purple.Note: Species formerly in genus Cancer have been recently subdivided into several genera. Of our local genera, Cancer and Metacarcinus have a carapace wider than long plus only scattered setae on the carapace margins and legs while Glebocarcinus has a carapace of approximately equal length and width, often with granular regions and with setae along the edges; and setae on the outer surface of the chela as well as on the legs. Metacarcinus can be distinguished from Cancer because Metacarcinus has anterolateral carapace teeth which are distinct and sharp plus the male has a rounded tip to the telson, while Cancer has anterolateral carapace teeth which are low and lobed, separated by deep fissures plus the male has a sharply pointed telson.
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cc-by-nc-sa
copyright
Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory
editor
Dave Cowles
provider
Invertebrates of the Salish Sea