confirm Ecuadorian

[Jedi_Sena]

Please help me confirm the species of my new crab. I thought ruggie on first sight, but no stitch marks on the big pincer, so I'm 99% sure he's a Ecuadorian crab. What do you think?

[Jedi_Sena]

Also, what sort of shell is this?

[ladybug15057]

Jedi E's have the //// markings on the large pincher too? So there are no //// markings on the large pincher? I don't see the typical dark markings under the eye stalks that rugs are noted for. Any way to get a clear close up of his large pincher and his left rear walking leg?
He certainly does have some beautiful colorings to him! (looks a bit on the premolt side too)

[Jedi_Sena]

I was trying to get some more telling photographs last night, but he moves so fast! I finally gave up...for now. I was thinking pre-molt too. His color is so nice on top, but underneath he looks white. I didn't know Es have stitch marks too??? Still have a lot to learn....

[ladybug15057]

Well some refer to one as a 'dash' and others refer to them as 'stiches' but yep both E's, rugs, straws have the //// (possibly others too) Jedi, any way to count the /// on his large pincher if you cannot get a picture of the large pincher and rear walking leg?
The next to the last picture here I think you will be able to see the stitch /// marks

http://crabbywiki.com/tiki-index.php?page=Compressus

[Jedi_Sena]

Then my ruggies might not be ruggies. Or my new E might be a rug. Oh, I may never figure this out on my own. Better get the camera out again...

[CrabbyJo]

The stitch marks on the pincer of an E are not as pronounced as a Rug, I believe. Remember to check the eyestalks too, don't go by just one feature.

[ladybug15057]

Jedi, it may help to try to use the species ID from here that Wai updated, as well as the one that is on CrabbyWiki. Our Sister site Ctryluv has a good species section as well as Coenobita Species:
http://coenobitaspecies.com/
Pictures are good too if you can get them. But rugs typically have the black blotched marking under their eye stalks too, and their 'pinchers are different than that of an E's with the 'marking' too.
This is Snipper, rug, not long after I got him home: (see the marks under his eye stalks, and the lighter marking sort of going up the middle of his large pincher)



The dark 'band' is harder to see on the darker colored rugs though:

[ImCrabby]

You have a fine looking E there. The coloring is what some people would refer to as a calico E, which was once thought to be a sub-species. But no, just a color phase.

[Jedi_Sena]

Okay here are some more photos of my new crab, who I have named "Harley." Hopefully this will help someone identify him more correctly.