Portunus sayi ( Gibbes, 1850 )

Rodrigues, Iana Barbosa & Serejo, Irene Azevedo Cardoso and Cristiana Silveira, 2017, Catalogue and illustrated key of Achelous De Haan, 1833 and Portunus Weber, 1795 (Brachyura: Portunidae: Portuninae) species occurring in Brazilian waters, Nauplius (e 2017005) 25, pp. 1-12 : 9

Portunus sayi ( Gibbes, 1850)

( Fig. 4C )

Diagnosis. Carapace nearly twice wider than long, somewhat tumid, smooth and polished to naked eye, finely granulate under magnification. Frontal region with six teeth; median teeth small but about equally advanced with submedian teeth, lateral frontal teeth 1 rounded and larger than median teeth and submedian teeth. Posterior anterolateral tooth acute, strong, about as long as space occupied by 2 preceding teeth and directed outwards. Chelipeds of moderate length, somewhat larger in males than in females; merus with three to four stout, curved spines in front, none spine behind; carpus with two spines, a strong one at inner angle of carpus and a smaller spine near distal end of outer margin; a noticeable ridge above lateral margin. Swimming legs unarmed (modified from Rathbun, 1930 and Williams, 1984).

Measurements. Male, cl 31, cw 61; ovigerous female, cl 31, cw 64 ( Williams, 1984). Male, cl 29, cw 55.6, width at anterior base of lateral spine 47.7; female, cl 37.1, cw 76.1, width at anterior base of lateral spine 62.7 ( Rathbun, 1930).

Color. Chocolate brown or purplish with cloudings of olive green or light brown and irregular white or flesh-colored spots; orange margins on spines of chelipeds ( Williams, 1984).

Geographic distribution. Western Atlantic: Canada (Nova Scotia, 43°N) to USA (North Carolina, South Carolina), Gulf of Mexico (USA, Florida to Mexico, Cancun ), Guyana, Bermuda, Brazil (Paraíba) ( Melo and Veloso, 2005) .

Habitat. Normally this is a pelagic form living among floating Sargassum , but it is occasionally carried into coastal areas by currents ( Williams, 1984).

Type locality. South Carolina, USA .

Figures

Figure 4. A, Portunus anceps, MNRJ 16515; B, Portunus floridanus (from Rathbun, 1930); C, Portunus sayi (from Rathbun, 1930); D, Portunus ventralis, DOUFPE 7215. Scale bars: A, B, D, 2 cm; C, 3.7 cm.