Libinia dubia

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Crustacea
Class: Malacostraca
Superorder: Eucarida
Order: Decapoda
Infraorder: Brachyura
Family: Epialtidae
Genus: Libinia
Species: dubia

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Libinia dubia: /lɪˈbɪniə ˈdubɪə/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Image from page 126 of "Introduction to zoology; a guide to the study of animals, for the use of secondary schools;" (1900) (14598329499) by Internet Archive Book Images. Used under a No restrictions license.

Image from page 127 of "Introduction to zoology; a guide to the study of animals, for the use of secondary schools;" (1900) (14598330019) by Internet Archive Book Images. Used under a No restrictions license.

Libinia dubia (I0948) (16006808512) by Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Libinia sp. (spider crab) (Cayo Costa Island, Florida, USA) 1 (24521402405) by James St. John. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Libinia dubia (I0477) (14266743377) by Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Libinia sp. (spider crab) (Cayo Costa Island, Florida, USA) 2 (24521395725) by James St. John. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Summary

Libinia dubia, known as the longnose spider crab, is a species of crab in the family Epialtidae found along the eastern seaboard of North America. It is characterized by its distinctive carapace and behavior of decorating itself with seaweed for camouflage.

Physical Characteristics

The carapace is nearly circular, averaging 6 to 10 cm in diameter. It features approximately six spiny protuberances on each edge and six down the midline, covered with short setae resembling velcro. Stalked eyes are positioned on either side of a forked rostrum. There are five pairs of long, thin walking legs; the front pair has small pincers, while the terminal joints of the others are curved claws.

Identification Tips

Distinguished from the portly spider crab (Libinia emarginata) by having six spines in the median dorsal row instead of nine. It has fewer dorsal tubercles compared to L. emarginata.

Habitat

Found in shallow waters, particularly in sandy bottoms and seagrass meadows.

Distribution

Ranges from Cape Cod to southern Texas, including Cuba and the Bahamas. Also identified off the coast of Tunisia in the late 1900s.

Diet

Scavenger and detritivore, feeding on seaweeds in seagrass meadows.

Life Cycle

The male transfers sperm bundles (spermatophores) to the female, which fertilizes the eggs internally and broods them under her abdomen until they hatch into zooplankton larvae.

Reproduction

Internal fertilization occurs, and the female broods the eggs under her abdomen. The larvae have two zoeal stages and one megalopal stage before settling on the sea bed and metamorphosing into juvenile crabs.

Predators

Eaten by predatory fish, such as the pinfish (Lagodon rhomboides), gag grouper (Mycteroperca microlepis), and oyster toadfish (Opsanus tau).

Ecosystem Role

Acts as a scavenger and contributes to the cycling of nutrients in its habitat; can form symbiotic relationships with jellyfish.

Similar Taxa

Libinia emarginata