Atelecyclus undecimdentatus
{{Short description|Species of crab}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Atelecyclus_undecimdentatus.jpg
| genus = Atelecyclus
| species = undecimdentatus
| authority = (Herbst, 1783)
}}
Atelecyclus undecimdentatus is a species of crab in the family Atelecyclidae.{{cite WoRMS |author=Charles Fransen & Michael Türkay |date=2012 |title=Atelecyclus undecimdentatus (Herbst, 1783) |id=107274 |accessdate=May 27, 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://www.habitas.org.uk/marinelife/species.asp?item=S26270 |title=Atelecyclus undecimdentatus - Marine Life Encyclopedia |publisher=Habitas.org.uk |date= |accessdate=2012-07-18}}{{cite web|url=http://www.european-marine-life.org/24/photo-atelecyclus-undecimdentatus-js86.php |title=Photo of Atelecyclus undecimdentatus - # - Arthropod biology |publisher=European Marine Life |date= |accessdate=2012-07-18}}
Description
The body of this crab is quite hairy, and has a whitish to cream colour, with purple marks on the carapace. The carapace has a smooth texture and a fringe of long setae. It is significantly wider than it is long, growing up to 5 cm long and 6.3 cm wide. The postero-lateral margins strongly converge.{{cite web|author=security |url=http://doris.ffessm.fr/fiche2.asp?fiche_numero=1187 |title=DORIS - FFESSM - Biologie et plongée - Faune et flore sous-marines et dulcicoles |publisher=Doris.ffessm.fr |date= |accessdate=2012-07-18}}
Atelecyclus undecimdentatus is often very dirty which can alter its appearance. It has short antennae, being only about a quarter of the length of the carapace. The claws are similar to each other, with black tips. Both the claws and legs have many bristles.
This crab is sometimes mistaken for the more common Atelecyclus rotundatus. However, Atelecyclus rotundatus can be distinguished by its finer granulations and narrower carapace.{{cite web|url=http://www.marlin.ac.uk/speciesinformation.php?speciesID=2674 |title=The Marine Life Information Network |publisher=MarLIN |date= |accessdate=2012-07-18}}
Distribution
This species is found in the coastal Atlantic Ocean, the English Channel, and also rarely occurs in the Mediterranean Sea.
Habitat
References
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{{Portal bar|Crustaceans|Marine life}}