Swimming Crabs
Portunidae
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Crustacea
- Class: Malacostraca
- Superorder: Eucarida
- Order: Decapoda
- Infraorder: Brachyura
- Family: Portunidae
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Portunidae: //pɔːrˈtjuːnɪdiː//
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Images
Summary
Portunidae is a family of crabs commonly known as swimming crabs, characterized by their adapted legs for swimming and aggressive predatory behavior.
Physical Characteristics
Portunid crabs are characterized by the flattening of the fifth pair of legs into broad paddles, which are adapted for swimming. They possess strong, sharp claws.
Habitat
Swimming crabs are typically found in coastal marine environments, often in shallow waters where they can hunt and scavenge.
Distribution
They reach their greatest species diversity in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
Diet
Swimming crabs are aggressive predators, feeding on a variety of marine organisms.
Ecosystem Role
They play a significant role as predators in their coastal ecosystems, helping to maintain the balance of marine life.
Economic Impact
Includes economically important species like the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) and black crab (Scylla serrata).
Tags
- Portunidae
- Swimming Crabs
- Crustacea
- Marine Environment
- Predators