Carapace rather narrow; generally depressed; surface covered with a short pubescence except for linear ridges and anterolateral areolae; all the ridges distinct, and covered with minute granules. Front with four sharp teeth, inner two of which are more pronounced anteriorly; each lateral tooth separated from angulated inner end of supraorbital border by a deep V-shaped notch. Of nine anterolateral teeth the anterior eight are subequal, sharp and curved anteriorly; last tooth about twice as large as the precedings, only weakly curving forward at its apex. Both borders of merus, distal border of carpus and upper borders of palm and movable finger of cheliped fringed with soft hairs. Natatory merus with some spinules on distal margin.
Distribution:
West Atlantic from Massachusetts through the West Indies to Brazil, 3-70 m deep.
Remarks:
The Pacific analogue, P. angustus Rathbun from the Galapagos Islands, is readily distinguished by having the alternately large and small anterolateral teeth and a spine at postero-distal angle of the natatory merus.