92 Bulletin, Vanderhilt Marine Museum, Vol. II 



Mithrax Desbonne and Schramm, Crust. Guadeloupe, p. 8, 



pi. 2, figs. 4 and 5, 1867. 



Mithrax depressus A, Milne Edwards, Crust. Keg. Mex., p. 96, 1875 ; 



the specimens from "Woman Key, Fla., but not that figured on 



pi. 20, figs. 4-4c. 

 Rathbun, Bijdragen tot de Dierkunde, Zoologisch Genootschap Natura 



Magistra, Aflev. 23, p. 20, 1924. 



Mithrax (Mithrax) pleuracauthus Stimpson. 



Plate 28, fig. A. 



Name : Little red spider crab. One of several species known as coral 

 spider crab. 



Diagnostic characters: Rostral horns shorter and wider than in 

 Mithrax hispidus of M. caribbaeus; sinus more inclined toward V- 

 than U-shape, especially in young forms. Anterolateral tubercles of 

 carapace four, first three tuberculate, fourth, spiniform; one small 

 postlateral tubercle. Second branchial tubercle small. 



Type: Stimpson 's type localities are given as Key West, Florida, 

 2 to 5 f ms. ; Tortugas, 5 to 6 fms. ; St. Thomas, Virgin Islands ; the 

 types are no longer extant. 



Distribution : This species has been recorded from Beaufort, N. C, 

 off Charleston, S. C, from many points in southern Florida, the Gulf 

 of Mexico, Cuba, Porto Rico, St. Thomas and St. Martin, Curasao 

 and the Caribbean Sea. 



Material examined : One female taken at Cardenas, Cuba, March, 

 1928, by the ''Ara/' William K. Vanderbilt, commanding. One egg- 

 bearing female, off Knight's Key, Florida, March 29, 1926. This 

 specimen was yellowish white with many blotches of bright red. 

 (Field-note, W. K. Vanderbilt.) One very small ovigerous female 

 from Port Antonio, Jamaica, 2 fms., with dragnet, February 17, 1926. 

 Two males taken at Cay Sal Bank, near light, double-headed Shot 

 Cay, Bahamas, February 18, 1925. 



Color: Bright red, finely reticulated with creamy yellowish, legs 

 predominantly red, barred with narrower bands of yellow, chelipeds 

 bright red, including tips of fingers. 



Habits : Mithrax pleuracanthus has been found from the shore to a 

 depth of 26 fathoms. It inhabits a coral bottom and protects itself 



