Mud Crab Species Distinctions*

Rhithropanopeus harrisii

Dyspanopeus sayi

Eurypanopeus depressus

Mark in mouth part absent

Mark in mouth part varies

Long, red mark on mouth part

One claw is only slightly larger than One claw is only slightly larger than One claw is clearly bigger than the
the other
the other
other
Claws are a very light color - close
to white

Claws are dark at the base and light

closer to the tips

Claws are a very dark color - close

to black

Rounded back shape

Slightly-rounded back

Very flat back

*Regional variations within species exist - DNA analysis is the ultimately the most accurate method for differentiating between species
Differences between species become more evident at later stages of maturity - differentiating species through visual means may be
impossible in some circumstances
Pictures from serc.si.edu and flickriver.com