PORTUNUS MARMOREUS. 
Tas. VIET. 
P. (**) Testa convexa obsolete et tenuiter granulata, utrinque dentibus quinque subequalibus ; 
fronte dentibus tribus equalibus, obtusis; manibus glabris lineis obsoletiusculis, supra 
unidentatis ; tarsis posticis apice acutioribus. 
Caneer pinnatus marmoreus. Montagu mss. 
Fig. 1, mas. 2, maris abdomen. 3, femina, 4, abdomen femine. 5, pedipalpus externus 
geminus paululum amplificatus. 6, antenna externa aucta. 
MARBLED PORTUNUS. 
Shell convex obsolete and slightly granulated, with five nearly equal sized teeth on each 
side; front with three equal, obtuse teeth; hands smooth with obsolete lines, above unidentate ; 
hinder tarsi with their points acute: color whitish elegantly marbled with reddish. 
This very beautiful species, which derives its name from its color, was discovered by 
G. Montagu, Esq. who very kindly sent me specimens for description. It is not uncommon on the 
sandy shores of the Southern coast of Devon, from Torcross to the mouth of the river Ex, and 
is frequently found entangled in the shore nets of the Fishermen, or thrown on the shore after 
heavy gales of wind. 
The rounded form of the dentations between the eyes, the very slight elevation of the lines 
on the hands, the convexity, remarkable smoothness and marbled appearance of the shell, at 
once distinguish this from any other species of the genus with which I am acquainted. 
Young specimens are plain brown, and much resemble the fry of Portunus depurator, from 
which they may be easily separated by their more considerable convexity. 
Full-grown specimens are subject to some variation in color and markings, as may be seen in 
the annexed plate, where the two extremes are depicted. The second and third joint of the 
abdomen is in both sexes transversely carinated. 
