Metacarcinus gracilis

Graceful rock crab:

Graceful rock crab (Metacarcinus gracilis): The graceful rock crab is a common species found primarily on soft bottoms, especially where Eelgrass (Zostera marina) occurs. This species is often mistaken for small specimens of the the related Dungeness Crab (Metacarcinus magister). The graceful rock crab does not have the sharp, toothed ridge as seen the Dungeness Crab (Metacarcinus magister). Also, in the M. magister, the posterior-most carapace spine is also the widest part of the carapace. In M. gracilis there is a tiny spine behind the spine forming the widest point of the carapace (see photo with inset).

Local Notes

add location

References

Weblinks

• WoRMS Page for Metacarcinus gracilis
• Search Arctos Database for Metacarcinus gracilis (Southeast only)
• Search Arctos Database for Metacarcinus gracilis (entire database)
• Encyclopedia of Life search for Metacarcinus gracilis
• iNaturalist Observations for Metacarcinus gracilis in Southeast Alaska

Other References

• Hart 1980

Add Observation of Metacarcinus gracilis

Related Files

• 

  Graceful rock crab (Metacarcinus gracilis)

• 

  Graceful rock crab (Metacarcinus gracilis)

Upload Related File