THE CANCROID CRABS OF AMERICA 247 



PLATYPODIA SPECTABIUS (Herbst) 



Plate 102, Figure 4 



Cancer spedabilis Herbst, Natur. Krabben u. Krebse, vol. 2, 1794, p. 153, pi. 

 37, fig. 5 (type-locality unknown; type in Berlin Museum, examined by the 

 writer, 1896). 



Cancer lobata Milne Edwards, Hist. Nat. Crust., vol. 1, 1834, p. 375 (type- 

 locality, Antilles; type in Paris Museum). 



Lophactaea lobata A. Milne Edwards, Nouv. Arch. Mus. Hist. Nat. Paris, vol. 1, 

 1866, p. 249, pi. 16, figs. 3, 3a. 



Platypodia spectabilis Rathbun, Ann. Inst. Jamaica, vol. 1, 1897, p. 13. 



Diagnosis. — Lobules of carapace appearing almost smooth. Meso- 

 gastric region narrowing regularly to a point in front. Antero-lateral 

 rim of good width. Palm elongate. 



Description. — Surface lobulated, granulate. Antero-lateral crest 

 extending very far back and continued by a small transverse crest on 

 carapace in Une with cardiac region; marginal crest cut by three 

 narrow fissures; postero-lateral borders concave. Front deflexed, 

 presenting two oblique truncate lobes in dorsal view; 

 in front view these lobes are concave. Hands short, 

 compressed, surmounted bj^ a sharp, entire crest; outer 

 surface covered with granules, irregidarly placed on 

 upper portion, but forming three or four longitudinal 

 lines on lower part. Fingers pointed, channeled, their 

 prehensile borders denticulate, also a broad lobe at base 

 of immovable finger. Ambulatory legs short, compressed ; 

 nails very sharp. Suture lines faintly visible between the 

 third, fourth, and fifth abdominal segments in the male, figure ss.-pla- 



Color. — Chocolate brown, with some yellow spots typodiaspecta- 



. BILIS (25440) 



bordered with blue and black; similar spots on chelipeds. m.a.le abdomen, 

 Legs red, with tricolored bands of yellow, blue, and carapace 13.2 



MM WIDE 



black. Eggs reddish yellow. (A. Milne Edwards.) 



Measurements. — Female (7688), length of carapace 13, width 19.3, 

 fron to-orbital width 9, width of front 5 mm. 



Range. — Gulf of Mexico, Bahamas and Florida Keys to Fernando 

 Noronha, Brazil; Bermudas. 



Material examined. — Bahamas; J. L Northrop; specimen returned 

 to sender. 



Key West, Florida; on reefs; Mar., 1885; R. E. C. Stearns; 1 female 

 (14460). 



Vera Cruz, Mexico; specimens in Paris Museum. 



Jamaica: March 1-11, 1884; Albatross; 1 male, 1 female (7688). 

 Kingston Harbor; 1893; R. P. Bigelow; 1 female (17967). 



Porto Rico; 1899; Fish Hawk: Porto Real; January 27; 1 male, 1 

 female (24256). Guanica Bay; January 29; 1 young female (Yale 

 Mus.). Culebra; February 11; 1 female (24257). 



