Leptuca panacea, commonly known as the Gulf sand fiddler crab or the Panacea sand fiddler, is a species of fiddler crab native to coastal habitats along the Gulf of Mexico from northwestern Florida to Mexico.[1]
This species is the sister species of the Atlantic sand fiddler crab, L. pugilator.[2] The ranges of the two species overlap in northwestern Florida, where they are known to hybridize.[3]
Before 2016, the species was known as Uca panacea. In 2016, the subgenus Leptuca was promoted to the genus level.[2][4][5]
The large claw of the male is smooth, lacking any tuberculate ridges.[3] The inner margin of the carapace is bright orange to orangish-red.
The species lives in salt marshes or open sand flats on sand or sandy-mud substrata.[3]
Leptuca panacea, commonly known as the Gulf sand fiddler crab or the Panacea sand fiddler, is a species of fiddler crab native to coastal habitats along the Gulf of Mexico from northwestern Florida to Mexico.
