Cryptolithodes sitchensis Brandt, 1853

Wicksten, Mary K., 2012, Decapod Crustacea of the Californian and Oregonian Zoogeographic Provinces 3371, Zootaxa 3371, pp. 1-307 : 166

Cryptolithodes sitchensis Brandt, 1853

( Fig. 40B, Pl. 6B)

Cryptolithodes sitchensis Brandt, 1853: 254 . — Holmes 1900: 125, pl. 2, figs. 21–25. — Schmitt 1921: 155, pl. 20, figs. 3, 4, fig. 100. — Johnson & Snook 1927: 339, fig. 287. — Makarov 1962: 268, figs. 108, 109. — Haig & Abbott 1980: 583, figs. 24.8 a–g. — Hart 1982: 76, fig. 22. — Ricketts et al. 1985: 171, fig. 139. — Odenweller 1972: 240, figs. 1, 2. — Dawson 1989: 317. — Jensen 1995: 71, fig. 138. — Kuris et al. 2007: 648.

Diagnosis. Carapace covering most of body, pereopods, about 1.3 times as wide and long, with lateral extensions almost as long as rostrum, with dorsal tubercles, low teeth along lateral margins. Rostrum widened distally, usually ending in distinct anterolateral angles, sometimes with small median tooth. Chelipeds smooth, unequal. Pereopods 2–4 smooth, flat. Abdomen flat, triangular. Carapace length to 68 mm.

Color in life. Orange, mottled, ivory, red, pink with red spots; see color photographs by Haig & Abbott (1980: figs. 24.8 a–g).

Habitat and depth. Rocky reefs and tide pools, lowest intertidal zone to 17 m.

Range. Sitka, Alaska to Point Loma, California. Type locality Sitka, Alaska. This crab is uncommon south of Point Conception .

Remarks. These little crabs sometimes bear injuries around the rim of the carapace. At times, two or more of these crabs will grip each other by the rim of the carapace. Whether this activity constitutes mating behavior or aggression is unknown.