Libinia

Libinia species can be distinguished from other epialtid crabs by their first gonopod morphology in males: long, slender structures ending in two wing-like processes (abdominal and sternal). Mature males larger than 35.1 mm carapace width exhibit fully developed gonopods with a sub-terminal seminal canal on the abdominal process. Females possess a press-button holding system and biconcave vulvae. The genus shows characteristic setal patterns on appendages associated with decorating behavior.

Marine coastal waters, primarily in the western Atlantic. Juveniles of several species associate symbiotically with jellyfish hosts (e.g., Lychnorhiza lucerna), while adults are free-living benthic dwellers on the seafloor near coastlines.

Western Atlantic Ocean, with species documented along the coasts of North America and South America, particularly the south and south-eastern coast of Brazil between latitudes 22° and 27°S.

• Lychnorhiza lucerna - symbiosisJuvenile crabs of L. ferreirae and L. spinosa live in symbiosis with this jellyfish species; presence or absence of hosts directly determines distribution of associated crab populations

Sexual maturity size thresholds have been documented for L. spinosa: males mature at greater than 35.1 mm carapace width (immature below 29.9 mm), females at greater than 42.6 mm carapace width (immature below 36.1 mm). Male gonopod development is synchronous with physiological maturity, not morphometrical maturity; female reproductive structures develop synchronously with both physiological and morphometrical maturity.

Precopulatory mate guarding: males grasp and carry females for days to weeks prior to the female's terminal molt, ensuring access for mating when females become receptive. Males release females temporarily for feeding but maintain close proximity. Decorating behavior: crabs attach materials to their carapaces using specialized setae, with setal descriptions and abundances impacting decorating behaviors.

• MacropodiaBoth genera are spider crabs with superficially similar body plans and epibiont associations; distinguished by gonopod morphology and genetic barcoding (COI sequences show Macropodia czernjawskii is very distinct from Libinia species)

• spider crab
• decorating behavior
• symbiosis
• jellyfish association
• mate guarding
• western Atlantic

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• Notice me! Neglected for over a century, Black sea spider crab re-described | Blog
• REPRODUCTIVE BEHAVIOR IN THE SPIDER CRAB, LIBINIA EMARGINATA (L.)
• Geographical ecology of the symbiotic crabs Libinia ferreirae and Libinia spinosa: Distributional patterns in south and south‐eastern coast of Brazil
• Copulatory system of the spider crabLibinia spinosa(Crustacea: Brachyura: Majoidea)
• Review for "Setal descriptions, locations, and abundances: their impacts on decorating behaviors in the spider crab Libinia (Crustacea: Epialtidae)"
• Review for "Setal descriptions, locations, and abundances: their impacts on decorating behaviors in the spider crab Libinia (Crustacea: Epialtidae)"
• Decision letter for "Setal descriptions, locations, and abundances: their impacts on decorating behaviors in the spider crab Libinia (Crustacea: Epialtidae)"
• Decision letter for "Setal descriptions, locations, and abundances: their impacts on decorating behaviors in the spider crab Libinia (Crustacea: Epialtidae)"
• Grooming behaviors and fouling of the spider crab Libinia dubia (Decapoda: Epialtidae)
• Trophic relationships between the crab Libinia ferreirae with scyphomedusa host and anemones epibionts
• SOME FACTORS CONTROLLING REPRODUCTION IN THE SPIDER CRAB,LIBINIA EMARGINATA
• The ecdysial gland of the spider crab, Libinia emarginata (L). I. Ultrastructure of the gland in the male
• CALCIUM UPTAKE AND EXCHANGE IN LEG NERVES OF THE CRAB ‘LIBINIA EMARGINATA’
• PARTILHA POR HABITAT DOS CARANGUEJOS LIBINIA SPP.: PROCESSOS BIOLÓGICOS E AMBIENTAIS REGIONAIS MODULAM O PADRÃO DE DISTRIBUIÇÃO?