Spotlight Species #9: Atlantic marsh fiddler crab
Spotlight Species #9:
Atlantic marsh fiddler crab (Minuca pugnax)
What to Look For:
Atlantic marsh fiddler crabs look very different depending on whether they are male or female. Both male and female are olive-brown in color. Males have a patch of royal blue on the carapace, females do not. Males are also larger (15-23 mm) than females (13-18 mm). Both have narrow eyestalks and dark bands on their walking legs. Males have one greatly enlarged claw that is often yellow.
Where to Find It:
As you may guess by its name, the Atlantic marsh fiddler crab can be found in - you guessed it - Atlantic marshes. Check out Huntington Beach State Park or the marshes of Winyah Bay for this species!
Why It Is a Spotlight Species:
The Atlantic marsh fiddler crab is the most common fiddler crab along our coasts. They are impacted by climate change as their range creeps northward with warming waters.
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