Petrolisthes cinctipes

P. cinctipes does not use its chelae (claws) for feeding.^[8] Like other porcelain crabs, P. cinctipes is a suspension-feeding crab that uses its maxillipeds (mouthparts) to sweep phytoplankton and other detritus from the water.^[9] It can voluntarily detach its claw through a reflex called autotomy, which it deploys in approximately 40% of predator attacks or more,^[8] especially among smaller female porcelain crabs.^[10] The claw stops pinching once it detaches, which is not the case for other species in the genus, like P. eriomerus.^[7] After autonomy, a membrane is sealed over the stump, and within a few weeks a small limb bud will form at the amputation site.^[9] After several molting cycles, the limb bud will retain its full size.

P. cinctipes generally reproduce all year round. Eggs hatch into zoea, or early-stage planktonic larvae with long spines,^[5] which the larvae use both for lateral swimming^[11] and to discourage predators.^[2] Zoeal larvae molt once before entering a post-larval stage as planktonic, filter feeding megalopae with fully developed appendages.^[9] After molting again, individuals generally lose the ability to swim as they reach the juvenile stage.^[2] However, adults, can swim with their ventral side up if they are forced to.^[7]

P. cinctipes has been used as a model organism in studies of intertidal ecology,^[12] competition,^[13] and adaptation to stressors like acidification^[14] and temperature fluctuation.^[15] Its accessible habitat and abundance make it a common subject in marine biology teaching laboratories.