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2002 California Academy of Sciences
CalPhotos
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This photo of an adult is by Will Duguid
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In this closeup of the face the small spinelike rostrum can be seen. Other features include the spine-tipped tubercles on the dorsal carapace and on the dorsal surfaces of the legs and chelae. Note that in Anomuran crabs the second antennae are based lateral to the eyes, as can be seen here. Photo by Will Duguid.
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This species has a rostrum widest at the base, which helps distinguish this species from Cryptolithodes sitchensis. Note eyestalks projecting at the base of the rostrum. Photo by Dave Cowles, 2001
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The abdomens of adult males and females differ in several ways. This is the abdomen of a female, which is shown above, is broader than that of a male and is asymmetrical. The plates on the left side of the female abdomen (to the right above) are larger than those on the left. The right side of the female abdomen also has a row of small marginal plates but the left side does not. The female also has pleopods on her abdomen, which cannot be seen without pulling the abdomen away from the thorax.
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Here is the whole individual photographed above. Photo by Dave Cowles, July 2001
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This photo helps illustrate why these crabs are called box crabs. When disturbed they fold their legs and abdomen together and hold them tightly against the body so that they are like a tight box or ball. The crabs on the left of the seat are upright while those to the left are upside-down. Photo by Will Duguid
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Cryptolithodes typicus can stretch its claws out from under the carapace. Photo by Dave Cowles, 1997
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Lopholithodes foraminatus caught by Joe Watson of Campbell River BC at 110-130 m depth in a crab trap near Twin Island in the Strait of Georgia, Canada. This is a large male. The distinctive foramen created by the legs can be seen to the left, between the base of the chela and the next leg, lined with smooth purple and white cuticle. (Photo by: Will Duguid, University of Victoria)
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Underside of Cryptolithodes typicus. Note ridges lining the edges of abdominal segments, and the roughness of the propodus on the chela. Photo by Dave Cowles, 1997 Note also that the chela (claw) is quite blunt.
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Cryptolithodes typicus from Sares Head (subtidal). (Photo by: Dave Cowles, July 1997)
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Another photo of the species. Dave Cowles, July 2001 Enlargements of the right and left chelae from the picture above. Dave Cowles, July 2001 The broad abdomen of this species is soft, somewhat like leather; especially in the distal yellow portion visible above. This appears to be a male abdomen. See the photos below to compare with a female abdomen. Photo by Dave Cowles, July 2001
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This gravid female found subtidally on Sares Head is 7 cm across the carapace. Photo by Dave Cowles, July 2012. See more photos of her below.
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The underside of this female's abdomen is soft in part of it but has a rounded, hardened shield across the tip. She is carrying eggs (see below). Photo by Dave Cowles, July 2012
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This is the same female as shown above. She is highly defensive of her abdomen but the crevice seen in this view shows that she is carrying many bright orange eggs.
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Placetron wosnessenskii, subtidal from 20m depth, Sares Head. Carapace width about 6 cm. (Photo by: Dave Cowles July 1997)