Leptuca spinicarpa, commonly known as the spiny-wristed fiddler crab or the spined fiddler crab, is a species of fiddler crab native to coastal habitats along the Gulf of Mexico from northwestern Florida to Mexico.[1][2]
Taxonomy
Previously a member of the genus Uca, the species was transferred in 2016 to the genus Leptuca when Leptuca was promoted from subgenus to genus level.[3][4]
At one time, L. spinicarpa was reduced to a subspecies of L. speciosa,[5] but this is no longer accepted due to morphological, genetic, and behavioral differences.[6]
Description
The carapace can be up to 23mm wide and is often green in color in the frontal area.[7] Strongly raised tuberculate ridges are present on the palm of the male's major cheliped; a large tubercle is present on the carpus.[6][7]
Habitat
The species lives in fresh to brackish water on intertidal banks and marshes with firm clay, clay-sand, or clay-mud substratum.[7]
