Uca pugilator


Uca pugilator, the sand fiddler crab is a species of fiddler crab that is found from Massachusetts to the Gulf of Mexico. It lives in burrows in coastal and estuarine mud-flats, and can be extremely abundant. It can be differentiated from its congeners U. pugnax and U. minax by the smoothness of the inside of its claws. One claw is larger than the other, and can be much larger than the crab's body, at up to long.

Description

The carapace is square in shape, tapering slightly to the rear; it can reach a width of, but is typically up to wide and long. The space between the eyes is much shorter than the eyestalk. The males have one extremely enlarged chela, which they use to claim their territory and fight with other males. The claw can be much larger than the body, at up to long, or exceptionally up to long. It is common for males to lose claws in the battles. When this happens, the claw regenerates and the opposite side begins to enlarge. Fiddler crabs are right or left clawed. The inside of these claws are also very smooth, unlike its other close relatives Uca pugnax and Uca minax.

Geographic distribution

Uca pugilator is one of only five species of fiddler crabs found primarily in temperate areas. The species occurs on the east coast of North America and in the Gulf of Mexico, having been found as far north as Massachusetts and as far south as Texas and Florida. This species has also reportedly been found in the Bahamas. They may also be found in the warmer waters of the Atlantic along the West coast of Africa.

Habitat

Uca pugilator can be found in estuarine and coastal areas or sheltered shores with sandy or muddy substrates. It is frequently found in areas bordering marshes and along the banks of tidal streams. It can be found in these areas in large numbers – thousands to millions.