THE SPIDER CRABS OF AMERICA 553 



Genus CRYPTOPODIA Milne Edwards 



Cryptopodia Milne Edwards, Hist. Nat. Crust., vol. 1, 1834, p. 360; type, 

 C. fornicata (Fabricius) . 



Carapace very broadly triangular, with very large lateral clypei- 

 form vaulted expansions which conceal the ambulatory legs and 

 are prolonged posteriorly far beyond base of abdomen. A ridge ex- 

 tends from gastric region across branchial region to the postero- 

 lateral margin. Rostrum nearly horizontal, spatuliform and very 

 prominent. Pterygostomian regions smooth, not ridged. Orbits 

 very small, nearly circular, with a suture in superior margin. Epis- 

 tome well developed; antennulary fossae narrow and somewhat 

 oblique. Eyes very small and retractile. Basal antennal joint 

 slightly dilated, not nearly reaching internal orbital hiatus, which is 

 filled by the second joint. Buccal cavity and external maxillipeds 

 small. Merus of maxillipeds distally truncated, antero-external 

 angle produced. Chelipeds allied to those of Partlienope. Am- 

 bulatory legs with the fourth, fifth, and six joints more or less cristate. 

 (After Alcock.) 



Range. — Gulf of Mexico to West Indies; Lower California; Indo- 

 Pacific region. 



KEY TO THE AMERICAN SPECIES OF THE GENUS CRYPTOPODIA 



A^ Carapace 1.2 to 1.33 times as broad as long. Rostrum much broader than 

 long concava, p. 553. 



A-. Carapace 1.6 times as broad as long. Rostrum a little broader than long. 



hassled, p. 554. 



Analogous species on opposite sides of the continent: concava 

 (Atlantic) ; Jiassleri (Pacific) . 



CRYPTOPODU CONCAVA Stimpson 



Plate 202, figs. 3 and 4; plate 282, figs. 6-11 



Cryptopodia concava Stimpson, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., vol. 2, 1871, p. 137 

 (type-locality, off Conch Reef, 34 fathoms, type not extant). — A. Milne 

 Edwards, Crust. Reg. M6x., 1878, p. 168, pi. 29, figs. 1-lc and 2-2c. 



Diagnosis. — Carapace from 1.2 to 1.33 times as broad as long. 

 Eostrum distinctly broader than long. Branchial ridges convex 

 forward. 



Description. — Carapace a little broader than long; antero-lateral 

 margins twice as long as postero-lateral and meeting them at an 

 obtuse angle; postero-lateral margins converging posteriorly very 

 slightly, posterior margin straight in female, very slight!}^ emargi- 

 nate in male. Gastro-branchial ridges granulate; margin cut into 

 small truncate teeth separated by closed fissures and with denticulate 

 margins. The lateral expansions do not quite cover the feet when 

 extended. Surface smooth and shining. Front triangular and flat- 



