{{Short description|Species of crab}} {{Speciesbox | image = | image_caption = | genus = Mithraculus | species = cinctimanus | authority = Stimpson, 1860&nbsp;<ref name=WoRMS>{{cite WoRMS |author=Davie, Peter |year=2012 |title=''Mithraculus cinctimanus'' Stimpson, 1860 |id=421986 |accessdate=October 17, 2012 |db=}}</ref> | synonyms_ref = &nbsp;<ref name=WoRMS/> | synonyms = *''Mithrax (Mithraculus) commensalis'' <small>Manning, 1970</small> *''Mithrax affinis'' <small>Desbonne, 1867</small> }}

'''''Mithraculus cinctimanus''''', the '''banded clinging crab''', is a species of crab in the family Majidae. It is found in the Caribbean region and is usually associated with a sea anemone, sponge or coral.

==Description== ''Mithraculus cinctimanus'' is a small crab with an oval carapace slightly longer than it is wide. The front third is slightly hairy and the surface of the hind two thirds is roughened by small tubercles. The front edge has several blunt spines. The colour of the carapace is variable often being olive brown with several large creamy patches. The legs have bands of the same colours and their outer segments are hairy. The fingers of the chelae do not completely close and have rounded tips. An adult ''Mithraculus cinctimanus'' is about {{convert|22|mm}} long.<ref name=Colin>{{cite book |title=Marine Invertebrates and Plants of the Living Reef |last=Colin |first=Patrick L. |year=1978 |publisher=T.F.H. Publications |isbn=978-0-86622-875-6 |page=[https://archive.org/details/marineinvertebra00patr_0/page/367 367] |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/marineinvertebra00patr_0/page/367 }}</ref><ref name=Bolanos>{{cite journal |author1=Bolaños, Juan A. |author2=Hernández, Gonzalo |author3=Lira, Carlos |year=2000 |title=''Mithraculus cinctimanus'' Stimpson, 1860 y ''Speloeophorus pontifer'' (Stimpson, 1871) (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura) dos nevas adiciones a la carcinofauna Venezolana |trans-title=''Mithraculus cinctimanus'' Stimpson, 1860 and ''Speloeophorus pontifer'' (Stimpson, 1871) (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura), two new additions to the crab fauna of Venezuela |language=Spanish |journal=Boletín del Instituto Oceanográfico de Venezuela |volume=39 |pages=25–31 |url=http://ri.biblioteca.udo.edu.ve/handle/123456789/2995}}</ref>

==Distribution== ''Mithraculus cinctimanus'' is found in the Caribbean region its range including Florida, the West Indies, Curaçao, Colombia and Venezuela.<ref name=Bolanos/>

==Biology== ''Mithraculus cinctimanus'' feeds on filamentous green algae growing on rocks.<ref name=Bolanos/> Young crabs are often found living on the surface of the mushroom coral ''Ricordea florida''. At this stage of their lives, the carapace is often covered with felt-like red algae which provides the crab with camouflage.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://vimeo.com/8662876 |title=''Mithraculus cinctimanus'' |date=11 January 2010 |publisher=Coral morphologic |accessdate=2012-10-17}}</ref>

==Ecology== ''Mithraculus cinctimanus'' is usually found living commensally with a sponge, coral or a sea anemone. The host is often the sun sea anemone ''Stichodactyla helianthus'' or in deeper water, the anemone ''Lebrunia danae''.<ref name=Colin/> On this latter anemone, ''Mithraculus cinctimanus'' is part of an assemblage of commensal invertebrates each occupying its own characteristic position. It is found hiding under the rim of extended pseudotentacles and when these are retracted, it also retreats leaving only its chelae, eyes and the front part of its head exposed. It seldom moves away from the anemone and seems to be immune to the stings produced by its host's nematocysts.<ref name=Herrnkind>{{cite journal |author1=Herrnkind, William |author2=Stanton, Gregg |author3=Conklin, Edwin |year=1976 |title=Initial characterization of the commensal complex associated with the anemone, ''Lebrunia danae'', at Grand Bahama |journal=Bulletin of Marine Science |volume=26 |issue=1 |pages=65–71 |url=http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/umrsmas/bullmar/1976/00000026/00000001/art00009}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist|32em}}

==External links== * {{sealifephotos|421986}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q5234044}}

Category:Majoidea Category:Crabs of the Atlantic Ocean Category:Crustaceans described in 1860