Arenaeus

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Crustacea
Class: Malacostraca
Superorder: Eucarida
Order: Decapoda
Infraorder: Brachyura
Family: Portunidae
Genus: Arenaeus

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Arenaeus: //ˈæɹəˌniːəs//

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

Images

Arenaeus cribrarius I1020 (22404658792) by Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Arenaeus cribrarius by Mural Nativo. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Arenaeus cribrarius (I0876) (16331124328) by Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Arenaeus clibarius at FMVZ-USP by Museum of Veterinary Anatomy FMVZ USP / Wagner Souza e Silva. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Arenaeus cribrarius (speckled crab) (Sanibel Island, Florida, USA) 2 by James St. John. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Arenaeus cribrarius (speckled crab) (Mullet Key, Tampa Bay, Florida, USA) 1 (23903146354) by James St. John. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Summary

Arenaeus cribrarius, commonly known as the speckled swimming crab, is a species of swimming crab found from the United States to Argentina, living in sandy shallow waters. It exhibits a diverse diet and is known for its reproductive strategies and commercial importance in fisheries.

Physical Characteristics

Arenaeus cribrarius has a light brown, light maroon, or olive carapace with many white or tan irregular round spots. Males tend to be more colorful. The carapace can reach lengths between 4.5 and 6 inches wide (120-150mm), with nine lateral teeth on each side and six partially fused frontal teeth. They have ten legs, with the first four pairs being broad pereopods used for walking, and a fifth pair shaped as wide flattened paddles for swimming. They can weigh up to 45 grams (1.6 ounces).

Identification Tips

Look for a color pattern of light brown, maroon, or olive with white or tan spots. Males are more colorful than females. Notice the broad pereopods and paddle-shaped swimming legs.

Habitat

Arenaeus cribrarius is commonly found in shallow sandy waters on ocean beaches, as well as in depths up to 200 feet (61 m). They inhabit temperate or tropical waters with temperatures between 11-29 degrees Celsius and salinity from 28 to 35 PSU.

Distribution

From Massachusetts, U.S. to areas in Argentina.

Diet

Primarily detritus, and also eats fish, mollusks, and other crustaceans. They have been recorded capturing sea turtle hatchlings.

Life Cycle

The average life span is around 2 years. They reach sexual maturity at 5-7 years of age and reproduce year-round.

Reproduction

Arenaeus cribrarius breeds year-round in a polygynandrous manner. Males select premolt females, and after a courtship period, mate by transferring spermatophores. Eggs are spawned about 57 days later, with fecundity between 135,000 and 680,000. Nauplia hatch about 18 days post-spawning and grow into the first crab stage 13 days thereafter.

Predators

Sea turtles are the primary predators of Arenaeus cribrarius.

Ecosystem Role

They play a role in the marine ecosystem, primarily as detritivores and prey for other species.

Economic Impact

Important in fisheries, particularly along the Brazilian coast. Harvested for meat and byproducts such as chitin, which is used in various industries.