(Fig. 48A)
Pugettia gracilis Dana, 1851. — Holmes 1900: 25. — Rathbun 1904: 173; 1925: 172, pl. 58, text figs. 64,65. — Weymouth 1910: 29, pl. 4, fig. 10. — Schmitt 1921: 206, pl. 33, fig. 7, text figs. 128a, b. — Johnson & Snook 1927: 368, fig. 322. — Garth 1958: 196, pl. L, fig. 4, pl. 20, fig. 2. — Garth & Abbott 1980: 598, fig. 25.5. — Hart 1982: 186, fig. 74. — Ricketts et al. 1985: 298. — Jensen 1995: 23, fig. 15. — Kuris et al. 2007: 641.
Diagnosis. Rostrum deeply notched, outer margins of rostral horns subparallel. Carapace oval, with 2 gastric, one cardiac, one intestinal tubercles; tuft of setae preceding each tubercle, hooked setae on rostrum, sides of carapace. Lateral projections of carapace broad, anterior one large, wing-like; posterior projection smaller with anterior end lobiform, posterior end spiniform. Hepatic tooth broad, completely joined to postorbital tooth. Basal article of antennae bearing tooth at anteroexternal angle, flagellum not reaching end of rostrum. Chelipeds large, strong; merus triangular, with superior crest bearing 3 or more teeth; carpus with 2 longitudinal crests, propodus with superior crest, inferior margin with prominent posterior lobe; male chela with fingers widely gaping, large tooth near base of dactylus; female fingers not gaping. Pereopods 2–5 stout, with small tubercles, dactyls with sharp apices. Male carapace length 35.5 mm, width 26.5 mm; female carapace length 33.5 mm, width 25.0 mm.
Color in life. Greenish brown, yellow or reddish, ventral side lighter (Garth 1958).
Habitat and depth. Docks, pilings, among rocks, algae, eel grass beds; intertidal zone to 140 m.
Range. Attu I., Aleutian Is. to Monterey Bay, California, but usually north of San Francisco. Type locality Puget Sound, Washington.
Remarks. Pugettia gracilis usually has little material attached to its dorsal surface.