Leucosiidae
Guides
Persephona
mottled purse crab (for P. mediterranea)
Persephona is a genus of true crabs in the family Leucosiidae, established by Leach in 1817. The genus contains approximately five described species, including the mottled purse crab (P. mediterranea). These crabs belong to the purse crab family, characterized by their rounded, often box-like carapaces. Species in this genus are found in marine environments, with records from the Atlantic and Mediterranean regions.
Persephona mediterranea
Mottled Purse Crab
Persephona mediterranea, commonly known as the mottled purse crab, is a true crab species in the family Leucosiidae. Despite its specific epithet 'mediterranea', it is found in the western Atlantic Ocean rather than the Mediterranean Sea. The species was first described by Herbst in 1794 under the basionym Cancer mediterraneus. It belongs to a family known for rounded or purse-like carapaces.
Randallia
Randallia is a genus of true crabs in the family Leucosiidae, established by Stimpson in 1857. The genus comprises approximately 17 described species. These crabs belong to the diverse brachyuran crab fauna and are classified within the subfamily Ebaliinae. Members of this genus are marine decapod crustaceans.
Randallia ornata
globose sand crab, purple globe crab
Randallia ornata is a true crab in the family Leucosiidae, commonly known as the globose sand crab or purple globe crab. It inhabits sandy beaches along the eastern Pacific coast from Northern California to Baja California, Mexico. The species is notable as a host for an undescribed nemertean worm in the genus Carcinonemertes, which acts as an egg predator with infection rates reaching 70% in crab populations.