Thranita coeruleipes

Thalamita coeruleipes is a swimming crab of the Portunidae family.

Description

Carapace LxW, 20x30mm. Carapace with 3 pairs of gastric ridges, epibranchial ridge interrupted by cervical groove and medially, median cardiac and mesobranchial ridges absent; front with 6 rounded lobes; 5 antero-lateral teeth, fourth and fifth shortest, subequal. Basal antennal joint centrally with 2-3 spines and a short irregular clump of 4-5 granules. Upper surface of cheliped palm with 4 remarkably sharp spines; inner face smooth, mesially with a rounded longitudinal carina. Posterior border of propodus of swimming leg with 4 large and 3 small spines. Male first pleopod tapering quite strongly to tip; inner surface with 2 indistinct rows of moderately sized bristles; outer surface with about 15 bristles and 3 large, blunt, rounded tubercles immediately behind tip.

Front 6-lobed; carapace long, first antero-lateral tooth entire; fourth antero-lateral tooth large; ridge on basal antennal joint with spines; 2 large spines on upper surface of hand of cheliped.

Disrtibution

Indo-Pacific Ocean from Madagascar to Fiji, also Hawaii.