Carapace transversely elliptical, with flattened dorsal surface; areolae distinctly subdivided by narrow and deep furrows, being thickly covered with acute granules of various size and with sparse short hairs; granules on branchial regions of both sides salient; protogastric region entirely subdivided into two by a longitudinal furrow. Anterolateral border arched and cut into four teeth, each of which is composed of a main tubercle and some associated smaller ones. Chelipeds of both sides equal and covered with sharp granules and hairs of variable size and length, respectively; granules on outer surface of palm larger and arranged into some longitudinal rows. In male chela dark color of fingers considerably extended back onto palm. Ambulatory legs rather thick, long and covered with sharp granules and short setae like carapace.
Distribution:
West Atlantic from the vicinity of Florida through the West Indies to Brazil, from lower tidal zone to 20 m deep.
Remarks:
Considering some recent contributions on the family Xanthidae, its true systematic position is not always certain, and thus the inclusion in Actaea is provisional at present.