THE SPIDER CRABS OF AMERICA 



467 



which is directed obliquely backward and outward and sometimes 

 curved upward. A short, obhquely erect spine stands on the median 

 line above the posterior margin. 



Chelipeds of male narrow, about as long as carapace. Arm nodose, 

 palm with subparallel sides, dactylus about half as long as upper 

 margin of palm. Legs rather slender, slightly nodose. 



Measurements. — Male (17959), extreme length of carapace 34, 

 length from rostral sinus to posterior margin 24, extreme*width 28.7, 

 width at base of spines 19.4 mm. 



Color. — Enveloping hairs yellowish (Milne Edwards) or reddish- 

 brown) (Latreille). 



• Habits. — Usually concealed by a covering of sponge which adheres 

 to the hairs on carapace and legs. This 

 serves as a protection to the crab, as fish 

 avoid sponges in any form. 



Range. — North Carolina to Yucatan; 

 West Indies; off Cape St. Roque, Brazil. 

 Shallow water to 45 fathoms. 



Material examined. — 



Beaufort, North Carolina; 10 to 30 feet; 

 station 7943, Fish Hawk; 1 young (51062). 



Off Beaufort, North Carolina; station 

 7951, Fish Hawk; 1 young (51005). 



Off Cape Sable, Florida; lat. 25" 03' 50" 

 N.; long. 81° 20' 30" W.; 3i fathoms; gy. 

 S. Sh.; December 18, 1902; station 7364, 

 Fish Hawk; 1 ovigerous female (54459) . 



Off Mujeres Island, Yucatan; 12 fathoms; coarse coral sand; 

 William Stimpson; 1 female, type of Pericera dicantha (1919, M. C. Z.). 



Off Contoy Island, Yucatan; 12-18 fathoms; weedy rocks; 

 William Stimpson; 2 immature females, identified by A. Milne Ed- 

 wards as P. dicantha (1920, M. C. Z.) . 



Cuba; 1914; Henderson and Bartsch, Tomas Barrera Expedition: 

 Dimas Bay; May 17; 1 male (48723) . Esperanza; May 11; 1 male, 

 1 female (48652). 



Bogue Islands, Montego Bay, Jamaica; 1910: On mangrove roots; 

 June 23; C.B.Wilson; 1 male (43026). On mangrove roots; July 

 2; E. A. Andrews; 2 males, encrusted with sponges (43027). July 6; 

 E. A. Andrews; 1 young (43025); 2 females, ovigerous and en- 

 crusted with sponges (43028). On mangrove roots; July 21; E. A. 

 Andrews (43016). 



Kingston Harbor, Jamaica: 1893; R. P. Bigclow; 1 female, cov- 

 ered with pol3^ps (17958); 1 male (17959). May-July, 1896; F. S. 

 Conant; 2 males, 1 female (19584). 



Fig. 132.— Macrocoeloma trispino- 

 sum (43028), maxilliped, x 7 



