(Stimpson, 1871)
Zoea [Portunus spinicarpus 1, Portunus spinicarpus 2]
¥ Number of stages in the zoeal phase: 7.
¥ Morphological characters of first zoea [Table 13 First zoeae of Portunidae]:
Abdominal somites 3-5 with prominent lateral spines overlaping the adjacent somite.
Telson-furcal spines: 1 lateral, 1 dorsal.
Antennule with 3 aesthetascs and 3 simple setae.
First maxilliped (mxp1) endopod setation: 2, 2, 0, 2, 5.
Megalopa [Portunus spinicarpus]
¥ Number of stages in the megalopal phase: 1.
¥ Morphological characters of megalopa [Table 16 Mgp Hymenosomatidae Atelecyclidae Beliidae Portunidae]:
Rostrum directed anteriorly, developed.
Spines present on sternal segment 4.
Maxillule (mx1) endopod setation: 6, 2.
Maxilla (mx2) endopod setation: 3.
First maxilliped (mxp1) epipod setation: 26.
Third maxilliped (mxp3) epipod setation: 15.
Larval stages described by Bookhout and Costlow, 1974.
Geographical distribution of adult
Occidental Atlantic: North and South Carolina, Florida, Gulf of Mexico, The West Indies, Colombia, Venezuela, Guianas, Brazil (Amapá to Rio Grande do Sul) and Uruguay (Maldonado).
Depth range of adult
Intertidal zone - 550 m.