Blepharipoda occidentalis

Taxon-Order: 
Decapoda

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Distribution: 
Central California to Baja California, Meixico.
Habitat: 
As planktonic zooea larvae, in nearshore shallow water; As adults: on sandy bottoms.
Size: 
Larvae 1- 12 mm; adult carapace length to 60 mm
Diet: 
A scavenger and predator, known to feed on dead Emerita.
Useful Facts or Characters: 

There are five planktonic zoeal stages.  In the zoeal stages the abdomen and telson are long and slender, the carapace is short and round with a long rostrum.

Natural History: 

Commonly called the spiny sand crab.  

References: 

Knight, M.D. (1968) The larval development of Blepharipoda occidentalis Randall and B. spinamana (Philippi) (Decapoda, Albuneidae). Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences 35: 337-370.