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Pugettia richii Dana, 1851
Cryptic Kelp Crab
Family: Majidae

Species account author: Josephine Hart.
Extracted from Crabs and their relatives of British Columbia.

Photograph

© Aaron Baldwin     (Photo ID #2115)

Map

E-Fauna BC Static Map

Distribution of Pugettia richii in British Columbia in British Columbia

Species Information

Carapace with hepatic area less expanded than P. gracilis and marginal projections narrower. No sharp ridges on merus of cheliped. Ischium and palp of outer maxilliped smooth.

Size

Carapace: male 48.7 x 32.6 mm, female 33 x 26.5 mm.

Colour

Carapace purplish red with violet patches and white knobs. Chelipeds purplish red, yellow and white, particularly ventrally; palm with inner face pale brown and white; outer purple-brown and white; fingers pale violet with red streaks; teeth white. Walking legs red-brown, with a dirty white band medially on each segment; ventrally mostly white and violet. Antennules and antennae violet, white and brown. Eyestalk violet and white; cornea black with gold flecks.

Habitat


Common intertidally on open coast amongst algae and eelgrass. Often decorated with coralline algae, bryozoans, etc.

Distribution

Range

Prince of Wales Island (54°43’N, 132°17’W), Alaska, to San Geronimo Island, Mexico; intertidal to 97 m.
Distribution In British Columbia

Outer coasts.

Status Information

Origin StatusProvincial StatusBC List
(Red Blue List)
COSEWIC
UnlistedUnlistedUnlistedUnlisted



BC Ministry of Environment: BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer--the authoritative source for conservation information in British Columbia.

General References