Pilumnidae

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Crustacea
Class: Malacostraca
Superorder: Eucarida
Order: Decapoda
Infraorder: Brachyura
Family: Pilumnidae

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Pilumnidae: /pɪˈlʌmnɪˌdeɪ/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Pilumnus sayi NC 0033 (39097249005) by Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Spineback Hairy Crab (with genetic mutation) (11671500596) by FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Spineback Hairy Crab (11354991244) by FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Spineback Hairy Crab (11671504336) by FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Summary

Pilumnidae is a diverse family of crabs that play significant roles in their marine habitats through scavenging and serving as prey for other animals. They are characterized by unique abdominal anatomy and a broad habitat range.

Physical Characteristics

Members of the Pilumnidae family are characterized by a broad, robust body, and a small to medium size range. They exhibit a variety of coloration and patterns.

Identification Tips

Look for free articulation of all segments of the abdomen in males and distinctive gonopod morphology to identify members of this family.

Habitat

Pilumnidae crabs are commonly found in a variety of marine environments, often inhabiting sandy or muddy substrates in coastal areas.

Distribution

These crabs are distributed primarily in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, with a high diversity in the Indo-Pacific.

Diet

Pilumnidae crabs are omnivorous, typically feeding on detritus, algae, and small invertebrates.

Life Cycle

The life cycle of Pilumnidae involves a series of larval stages that develop in the water column before settling into the substrate as juvenile crabs.

Reproduction

Reproductive strategies vary, but most species exhibit external fertilization with females carrying fertilized eggs until they hatch.

Predators

Natural predators include various species of fish, larger crustaceans, and seabirds.

Ecosystem Role

Pilumnidae play an important role in their ecosystems as both scavengers and prey for larger animals, contributing to nutrient cycling in marine environments.

Economic Impact

Some species may be of interest to local fisheries, but they are not generally considered commercially important.

Collecting Methods

Hand collection
Traps
Netting

Preservation Methods

Alcohol preservation
Freezing
Drying

Evolution

Pilumnidae is believed to have diverged from Xanthoidea in the Eocene, with a rich fossil record supporting this separation.

Similar Taxa

Xanthoidea
Portunoidea

Misconceptions

There may be confusion with other crab families such as Xanthidae due to similar morphology.