Callinectes

Taxobox
name = "Callinectes"

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image_width = 250px
image_caption = "Callinectes sapidus"
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Arthropoda
subphylum = Crustacea
classis = Malacostraca
ordo = Decapoda
subordo = Pleocyemata
infraordo = Brachyura
familia = Portunidae
genus = "Callinectes"
genus_authority = Stimpson, 1860
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = "Callinectes arcuatus"
"Callinectes bellicosus"
"Callinectes bocourti"
"Callinectes danae"
"Callinectes exasperatus"
"Callinectes larvatus"
"Callinectes marginatus"
"Callinectes ornatus"
"Callinectes rathbunae"
"Callinectes sapidus"
"Callinectes sapidus acutidens"
"Callinectes similis"
"Callinectes toxotes"

"Callinectes" is a genus of crabs, including the blue crab, "C. sapidus". Members of the genus "Callinectes" have a pair of flat rear legs (pereiopods) shaped like oars. "Callinectes" species also have a flat, broad carapace with a series of distinct teeth along the front, around the eyes and terminal spines. The largest teeth are the "frontal teeth," between four and six teeth located between the eyes. Crabs in this genus are characteristically olive-green or blue on the back and white underneath, with blue or red areas covering the relatively small claws. Some species vary in claw size, spines and colouration.