Uca pugilator (Bosc, 1802)

Atlantic sand fiddler

Species recognized by The Integrated Taxonomic Information System external link, T Orrell (custodian) in 
IUCN Red List Status: NOT EVALUATED external link Showing: scientific names

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Uca pugilator (Bosc, 1802)

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Uca pugilator
Uca pugilator
Uca pugilator (Bosc, 1802)
Uca pugilator (Bosc, 1802)
Uca pugilator (Bosc, 1802)
Uca pugilator (Bosc, 1802)
Uca pugilator (Bosc, 1802)

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Table of Contents

Morphology

Physical Description

Source and Additional Information
Supplier
Animal Diversity Web external link
Copyright
©1995-2008, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors. Some rights reserved external link
Author
Chris Patterson, Western Maryland College
Editor
Louise a. Paquin, Western Maryland College
Source URL
View original data object external link
Citation
Patterson, C. 2001. "Uca pugilator" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed October 26, 2009 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Uca_pugilator.html. 

 

The Sand fiddler crab is approximately 1.5 inches(38mm) wide and 1.0 inch(25mm) long. All fiddler crabs are similar in shape, having a smooth carapace and a square-shaped body. The eyes are found at the ends of two long and slender, movable eyestalks located in the center of the carapace. Male fiddler crabs are brighter in color, having a purple grey or blue carapace with irregular markings of black or brown. The females have equal-sized claws and generally have a much more subdued coloration on their carapaces. Being that they are crabs they are considered decapods or animals with ten limbs; although both of their claws are not referred to as legs, they are actually chelipeds or claws. Males have a common characteristic of one large pincer. This pincer, which is usually brightly colored, can either be on the right or left side and is at least four times larger than the other. The large cheliped can be as fifty percent as massive as the rest of the male combined. Uca pugilator use the large claw to defend their burrows and attract mates. Fiddler crabs even get their name from the male's large claw.

 

(He Zhong 2001)

 
Michael Rosenberg. Editor. "Uca pugilator (Bosc, 1802)". Encyclopedia of Life, available from "http://www.eol.org/pages/347724". Accessed 22 Mar 2010.