Observations by paulchamplin

While cast netting for whatever fish might be in the surf at Cherry and Webb Beach in Westport, MA, I captured 3 speckled crabs that had similar but opposite patterning to the (common) lady crab (Ovalipes ocellatus), in that the carapace spots were pale, ringed with sandy gray-brown. When I first encountered this species in August 2015 (50+ captured), I initially assumed they were juv. blue crabs, based on the sharp extensions to their carapace. However I noticed that the points were more saw-toothed than slender (as in blue crab), and the speckling was not consistent with juv. blue crabs I have captured. I am now certain of this species' identity.