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Anomura
anomurans, hermit crabs, king crabs, porcelain crabs, squat lobsters, mole crabs, blanket-hermit crabs
Anomura is an infraorder of decapod crustaceans distinguished by their 'differently-tailed' body plan, including hermit crabs, king crabs, porcelain crabs, squat lobsters, and mole crabs. Multiple lineages within this group have independently evolved crab-like body forms through carcinisation. Anomura is the sister group to Brachyura (true crabs), together forming the clade Meiura. Members possess ten pereiopods, but the last pair is reduced and often concealed within the gill chamber, leaving only eight visible walking legs—a key diagnostic feature separating them from true crabs.
carcinisation convergent-evolution decapod marine benthic symbiosis shell-use deep-sea commercial-fishery
Astacidae
Astacid Crayfishes, Freshwater Crayfish
Astacidae is a family of freshwater crayfish comprising four extant genera: Astacus, Austropotamobius, Pontastacus, and Pacifastacus. Members are native to Europe, western Asia, and western North America. The family is distinguished by a gonopore positioned on the coxa of the third pair of walking legs in males (fifth pair in females), a trait shared with all Astacoidea. Several species, particularly Pacifastacus leniusculus (signal crayfish), have become invasive outside their native ranges, carrying crayfish plague (Aphanomyces astaci) that threatens native European populations.
crayfish freshwater decapod invasive-species crayfish-plague ecosystem-engineer conservation commercial-fishery Europe North-America western-Asia keystone-species nocturnal burrowing rheophilic EU-Habitats-Directive
Astacoidea
Northern Hemisphere Crayfishes
Astacoidea is a superfamily of freshwater crayfish restricted to the Northern Hemisphere. It comprises three families: Astacidae (Europe and western North America), Cambaridae (eastern North America), and Cambaroididae (eastern Asia). Members are distinguished from the Southern Hemisphere superfamily Parastacoidea by geographic distribution. Crayfish in this group possess ten walking legs, feather-like gills for respiration, and a segmented body with a hard exoskeleton. Many species construct burrows for shelter, with complexity varying from simple tunnels to elaborate multi-chambered systems.
freshwater crustacean decapod burrowing Northern-Hemisphere commercially-important conservation-concern invasive-potential keystone-species cave-dwelling-forms
Calappa flammea
Flame Streaked Box Crab
Calappa flammea is a marine crab species in the family Calappidae, commonly known as the Flame Streaked Box Crab. It is distributed in the Western Atlantic Ocean. The species was first described by Herbst in 1794 as Cancer flammeus.
crustacean marine decapod box-crab Western-Atlantic
Calappidae
Box Crabs
Calappidae is a family of marine crabs commonly known as box crabs, comprising approximately 16 genera including both extant and fossil taxa. Seven genera are known only from the fossil record, with calappid fossils documented from the Cretaceous to Recent (66.043 Ma to present) across Europe, the United States, Mexico, Central America, Australia, and Japan. The family is characterized by a distinctive box-like carapace morphology and is distributed in tropical and temperate marine waters worldwide.
marine benthic crab box-crab decapod commercial-bycatch fossil-record
Cambarus asperimanus
mitten crayfish
Cambarus asperimanus, commonly known as the mitten crayfish, is a species of freshwater crayfish in the family Cambaridae. It was first described by Faxon in 1914 and is native to North America. The species holds a Least Concern conservation status according to the IUCN, last reviewed in 2010.
crayfish freshwater decapod Cambaridae North-America Least-Concern
Cambarus speciosus
Beautiful Crayfish
Cambarus speciosus, commonly known as the beautiful crayfish, is a species of freshwater crayfish in the family Cambaridae. It is endemic to Georgia, United States. The species is currently listed as Near Threatened (NT) by the IUCN, with a stable population as of the last review in 2010. The specific epithet 'speciosus' refers to its attractive appearance.
crayfish crustacean freshwater endemic Georgia USA Near-Threatened IUCN-NT Cambaridae decapod
Cancer
Edible Crabs
Cancer is a genus of marine crabs in the family Cancridae, comprising eight extant species and three extinct species. The genus includes economically and ecologically important species such as the European edible crab (Cancer pagurus), Jonah crab (Cancer borealis), and red rock crab (Cancer productus). These crabs inhabit littoral and sublittoral zones of temperate and cold-temperate seas, primarily in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The genus is thought to have evolved from related Pacific Ocean genera during the Miocene epoch.
marine crab decapod commercially-harvested temperate littoral
Cancer borealis
Jonah crab
Cancer borealis, commonly known as the Jonah crab, is a marine brachyuran crab native to the western Atlantic Ocean. It inhabits waters from Newfoundland to Florida, primarily in rocky marine environments. The species possesses a rounded, rough-edged carapace with small light spots and robust claws with dark brown-black tips. Males reach larger sizes than females, with maximum carapace widths of 222 mm versus approximately 150 mm. The Jonah crab has been extensively studied as a model organism for neurophysiology, particularly for its stomatogastric nervous system, which has contributed to understanding neural circuit function and neuromuscular control.
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Cancer gracilis
Cancer gracilis is a species of true crab in the family Cancridae, originally described by Dana in 1852. It is currently recognized as a synonym of Metacarcinus gracilis. The species belongs to the diverse group of decapod crustaceans characterized by a hard carapace and ten walking legs. Like other members of the genus, it is a marine crab found in coastal waters.
crab decapod marine synonym
Cancer irroratus
Atlantic rock crab, peekytoe crab
A medium-sized marine crab native to the western North Atlantic, ranging from Iceland to South Carolina. Adults reach 133 mm carapace width and can live up to 8 years. The species occupies depths from intertidal zones to 790 m. It has become commercially significant as the 'peekytoe crab' and has established non-native populations in Iceland via ballast water transport.
marine commercial-fishery invasive-potential rocky-habitat decapod brachyura north-atlantic ballast-water-introduction lobster-interaction peekytoe-crab
Carcinus
Green crabs
Carcinus is a genus of crabs in the family Carcinidae, comprising two recognized species: C. maenas (the European green crab or shore crab) and C. aestuarii (the Mediterranean shore crab). The genus is notable for containing one of the world's most successful marine invasive species, C. maenas, which has established populations across temperate coastlines on multiple continents. Both species share similar ecological roles as opportunistic predators in coastal marine systems. C. aestuarii is endemic to the Mediterranean Sea and has been implicated in at least one invasion event in Japan.
crab invasive marine decapod portunoidea
Coenobitidae
Land Hermit Crabs, Terrestrial Hermit Crabs
Coenobitidae is the family of terrestrial hermit crabs, comprising approximately 17-18 species in two genera. Adults are fully terrestrial but depend on marine environments for reproduction. Females return to the ocean to release eggs; larvae develop through planktonic zoeal stages before settling. Juveniles acquire empty gastropod shells and migrate to land, where they continue development. The family is distributed throughout coastal tropical regions worldwide.
terrestrial coastal tropical shell-dependent amphibious-life-cycle decapod hermit-crab
Crangon
Crangon is a genus of marine shrimp in the family Crangonidae, comprising approximately 20 extant species distributed exclusively in the Northern Hemisphere. The genus exhibits a strong Pacific Ocean bias, with most species occurring in the northern Pacific, suggesting a Pacific origin. The brown shrimp Crangon crangon is the most commercially important and best-studied species, supporting significant fisheries in European waters. Several species display notable biological traits including intensive cannibalism behavior and broad environmental tolerances.
shrimp marine decapod commercial-fishery cannibalism Northern-Hemisphere estuarine
Diogenidae
Left-handed Hermit Crabs
Diogenidae is the second-largest family of marine hermit crabs, comprising 429 extant and 47 extinct species. Members are distinguished by an enlarged left chela (claw), earning them the common name 'left-handed hermit crabs'—the reverse of the typical pattern in other hermit crab families. The family includes both conventional shell-dwelling species and the unusual 'blanket-hermit crabs' of the genus Paguropsis, which live in symbiosis with sea anemones rather than occupying gastropod shells.
marine decapod shell-symbiosis anemone-symbiosis Indo-Pacific
Emerita
mole crabs, sand fleas, sand crabs, sand fiddlers, sea cicada
Emerita is a genus of small decapod crustaceans commonly known as mole crabs or sand fleas. These animals inhabit the intertidal zone of sandy beaches, where they burrow in the swash zone and use their antennae for filter feeding. The genus belongs to the family Hippidae and is characterized by a compact, oval body adapted for rapid burrowing in shifting sand.
decapod crustacean intertidal filter-feeder burrowing sand-beach
Emerita analoga
Pacific sand crab, Pacific mole crab, coldwater mole crab
Emerita analoga is a small sand-burrowing decapod crustacean inhabiting exposed sandy beaches along temperate Pacific coasts of North and South America. The species exhibits strong sexual dimorphism, with females nearly twice the size of males. It is a suspension feeder that captures plankton using specialized antennae extended into retreating waves. The species has been widely studied as an indicator organism for coastal pollution and harmful algal blooms.
decapod crustacean intertidal suspension-feeder indicator-species sexual-dimorphism planktonic-larvae swash-zone Pacific-coast bait-fishery
Emerita talpoida
Atlantic mole crab, Atlantic sand crab
Emerita talpoida is a mole crab in the family Hippidae, endemic to the western Atlantic Ocean. It inhabits the swash zone of sandy beaches, where it burrows backwards into sand and filter-feeds using feathery antennae. The species exhibits a circatidal rhythm in activity with a ~12.4 hour period, with smaller crabs distributed higher intertidally than larger ones. Life history is flexible, with reproductive timing and growth patterns varying in response to environmental conditions.
crustacean decapod mole-crab filter-feeder intertidal circatidal-rhythm bioindicator western-Atlantic
Faxonius virilis
Northern Crayfish, Virile Crayfish
Orconectes virilis is a medium-sized freshwater crayfish native to North America, widely distributed across Canada and the northern United States. The species is notable for its well-documented behavioral ecology, including complex social hierarchies, territorial home range behavior, and sophisticated predator avoidance mechanisms. It has been extensively studied as a model organism for agonistic behavior, chemical communication, and escape response mechanics. The species is currently expanding its range westward into Alberta and shows adaptability to varying environmental conditions, though acidification poses reproductive challenges.
crayfish freshwater decapod behavioral-ecology chemical-communication agonistic-behavior model-organism North-America range-expansion acidification-sensitivity
Grapsus
lightfoot crabs
Grapsus is a genus of lightfoot crabs in the family Grapsidae, comprising eight recognized species distributed across tropical and subtropical rocky shorelines. Members are characterized by their flattened bodies and long, slender legs adapted for rapid movement across intertidal rocks. The genus has been extensively studied for mitochondrial genome architecture and phylogenetic relationships within the Grapsoidea superfamily.
crustacean decapod intertidal rocky-shore mitochondrial-genome phylogenetics
Hemigrapsus
Hemigrapsus is a genus of varunid crabs containing fifteen recognized species. The genus is naturally distributed almost exclusively in the Pacific Ocean, with one species endemic to the Atlantic coast of South America. Two species—H. sanguineus and H. takanoi—have been introduced from East Asia to the North Atlantic region, where they have established invasive populations along European coasts and the eastern United States. One species, H. estellinensis, is considered extinct; it was endemic to a hypersaline spring in the Texas Panhandle.
crab varunid invasive intertidal Pacific introduced-species brachyuran decapod estellinensis-extinct sanguineus-invasive takanoi-invasive affinis-Atlantic-native
Homarus
true lobsters, clawed lobsters
Homarus is a genus of large marine clawed lobsters containing two extant species: the American lobster (H. americanus) and the European lobster (H. gammarus). These are among the most commercially valuable crustaceans globally. The genus is distinguished by pronounced claw dimorphism, with one crushing claw and one cutting claw. Eight extinct species are known from the fossil record dating to the Cretaceous.
commercially-fished claw-dimorphism North-Atlantic decapod lobster
Homarus americanus
American lobster, Atlantic lobster, Canadian lobster, true lobster, northern lobster, Canadian Reds, Maine lobster
Homarus americanus is a large marine crustacean found on the Atlantic coast of North America. It is the heaviest crustacean in the world, capable of exceeding 20 kg and 64 cm body length. The species is commercially important, supporting major fisheries from Labrador to New Jersey. It inhabits benthic environments from shallow coastal waters to depths exceeding 700 meters.
commercial-fishery decapod marine benthic crustacean northwest-atlantic thermoregulation long-lived
Inachidae
spider crabs
Inachidae is a family of marine crabs commonly known as spider crabs, characterized by long, slender legs and often elaborate camouflage behaviors. The family contains approximately 39 genera distributed primarily in Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Indo-Pacific waters. Members of this family are known for their association with sessile organisms including sea anemones, sponges, and algae. Some species exhibit specialized epibiosis, deliberately accumulating algae and other materials on their carapace for camouflage.
crustacean marine spider-crab decapod epibiosis camouflage
Lacunicambarus diogenes
devil crayfish, devil crawfish
Lacunicambarus diogenes, commonly known as the devil crayfish or devil crawfish, is a primary burrowing crayfish native to eastern North America. This species constructs and inhabits burrows in wet, muddy terrestrial habitats rather than living in permanent surface water. Its burrowing activities create refugia used by numerous other species, including documented use by eastern cicada killer wasps (Sphecius speciosus) as brooding habitat. The species ranges across the Atlantic Coastal Plain and Piedmont ecoregion from New Jersey to Georgia, with disjunct populations in Louisiana.
crayfish burrowing ecosystem-engineer primary-burrower Atlantic-Coastal-Plain terrestrial fossorial North-America Cambaridae Decapoda crustacean endemic wetland floodplain refugia allogenic-engineer cave-crayfish Lacunicambarus Cambarus Girard-1852 devil-crayfish devil-crawfish Sphecius-speciosus cicada-killer-wasp brooding-habitat soil-type congeneric-cues floodplain-connectivity muddy-substrate desiccation-refuge predation-refuge intermittent-water Piedmont New-Jersey Pennsylvania Delaware Maryland Virginia North-Carolina South-Carolina Georgia Louisiana roadside-ditch terrestrial-habitat burrow-construction burrow-maintenance wetland-engineer crustacean-ecology decapod astacidea freshwater-invertebrate invertebrate-engineer habitat-modification species-interactions commensalism facilitation ecosystem-services biodiversity-support habitat-provision microhabitat-creation soil-bioturbation sediment-mixing water-infiltration groundwater-connection ephemeral-water seasonal-wetland 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Leucosiidae
Purse Crabs
Leucosiidae is a family of marine crabs commonly known as purse crabs. The family contains three subfamilies and several genera of uncertain placement. Members are characterized by their rounded, often smooth carapaces that resemble small purses or pebbles. The family was established by George Samouelle in 1819.
crab marine decapod brachyura
Lophopanopeus bellus
black-clawed crab, Blackclaw Crestleg Crab
Lophopanopeus bellus is a small crab native to the Pacific coast of North America, ranging from Alaska to California. The species is characterized by its rounded carapace with low tubercles, black claws, and highly variable coloration. Two subspecies are recognized: L. b. bellus in the northern portion of the range and L. b. diegensis in the southern portion. The species is notable for being parasitized by the barnacle Loxothylacus panopaei.
crustacean decapod marine intertidal parasitized-by-barnacle Pacific-coast variable-coloration
Loxorhynchus crispatus
masking crab, moss crab
Loxorhynchus crispatus is a spider crab known for its distinctive decorating behavior, in which individuals attach materials from their environment to their carapace and appendages. The species occurs in the East Pacific and is commonly referred to as the masking crab or moss crab due to this habit. It belongs to the family Epialtidae, a group of crabs often associated with algae and marine vegetation.
crustacean decapod spider-crab camouflage decorating-behavior
Lysmata californica
red rock shrimp, lined shrimp
Lysmata californica is a caridean shrimp species native to the East Pacific, commonly known as the red rock shrimp or lined shrimp. It inhabits shallow coastal ecosystems of Southern California where it plays a role in benthic communities. The species has been studied for its behavioral responses to environmental stressors including ocean acidification and warming.
marine decapod caridean-shrimp East-Pacific Southern-California ocean-acidification-research-subject
Metacarcinus magister
Dungeness Crab
Metacarcinus magister, commonly known as the Dungeness crab, is a commercially important species of crab native to the west coast of North America. Adults typically reach 20 cm across the carapace and inhabit eelgrass beds and marine bottoms from Alaska to California. The species has a complex life cycle with planktonic larval stages (zoeae and megalopae) before settlement to benthic juvenile stages. It is highly valued as seafood and supports major commercial fisheries, particularly in Washington, Oregon, and California. Research indicates significant population and maternal variation in sensitivity to environmental stressors including ocean acidification and hypoxia.
commercial-fishery decapod crustacean west-coast-north-america eelgrass-habitat ocean-acidification-research hypoxia-response
Nephropidae
True Lobsters
Nephropidae is a family of large marine decapod crustaceans commonly known as true lobsters. Members possess a robust, elongated body with a well-developed carapace, large asymmetrical claws (chelipeds), and a muscular abdomen ending in a broad tail fan. The family includes commercially important species such as the European lobster (Homarus gammarus) and the Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus). Nephropidae is distinguished from other lobster-like crustaceans by specific morphological and reproductive characteristics.
lobster decapod commercial-fishery burrowing marine-benthic
Ocypode
Ghost Crabs
Ocypode is a genus of ghost crabs comprising 21 species distributed across tropical and subtropical sandy shores worldwide. Members are characterized by deep box-like bodies, elongated eyestalks often tipped with horn-like projections in several species, and pronounced claw asymmetry with one cheliped substantially larger than the other. They construct deep burrows in intertidal sandy or muddy substrates and exhibit primarily nocturnal activity patterns. The genus was established in 1795 and remained the sole genus in subfamily Ocypodinae until 2013, when Hoplocypode was segregated based on gonopod morphology.
crustacean decapod crab intertidal burrower nocturnal bioindicator
Ocypode quadrata
Atlantic Ghost Crab
Ocypode quadrata, the Atlantic Ghost Crab, is the only ghost crab species occurring along the Atlantic coast of the United States. It inhabits sandy beaches from Massachusetts to tropical regions of the Western Atlantic. The species has been demonstrated to possess notable cognitive abilities including operant conditioning, landmark-based wayfinding, and mirror self-recognition. It functions as a predator, scavenger, and deposit-feeder in coastal ecosystems, and is widely used as a bioindicator for sandy beach health.
ghost-crab Atlantic-coast bioindicator cognitive-abilities mirror-self-recognition sandy-beach decapod burrowing-crab
Orconectes obscurus
Orconectes obscurus is a freshwater crayfish species originally described by Hagen in 1870. It is currently classified as a synonym of Faxonius obscurus following taxonomic revision that transferred species from Orconectes to Faxonius. The species occurs in North America, with distribution records from Canada. Limited specific ecological information is available in the provided sources.
crayfish freshwater decapod Cambaridae North-America synonym taxonomic-revision
Orconectes validus
Orconectes validus is a species of freshwater crayfish in the family Cambaridae. The name is currently treated as a synonym of Faxonius validus. Original description dates to 1914 by Faxon. As a synonym, biological information specific to this nominal taxon is limited and may be conflated with the accepted name.
crayfish freshwater decapod cambaridae synonym north-america
Ovalipes ocellatus
Lady Crab, Ocellated Crab, Calico Crab, Leopard Crab, Atlantic Leopard Crab
Ovalipes ocellatus, commonly known as the Lady Crab, is a medium-sized crab species native to the western Atlantic coast of North America. The species is distinguished by its yellow-grey to light purplish carapace adorned with distinctive leopard-like clusters of purple spots, which provide limited iridescence for signaling. It is primarily nocturnal and often buries itself in sandy substrates. The species has been described as notably aggressive toward humans, with documented instances of pinching waders.
crab decapod marine western-Atlantic nocturnal burrowing aggressive
Pachycheles rudis
thickclaw porcelain crab, big-clawed porcelain crab
Pachycheles rudis is a porcelain crab in the family Porcellanidae, commonly known as the thickclaw porcelain crab or big-clawed porcelain crab. It inhabits the East Pacific coast from Baja California to Kodiak, Alaska. The species is a filter feeder that typically occurs in heterosexual pairs and exhibits size-assortative pairing with apparent long-term mate recognition. It is frequently found in crevices, nooks, and interstices, often occupying discarded barnacle shells lined with the bryozoan Alcyonidium.
decapod porcelain-crab filter-feeder East-Pacific monogamy parasitism intertidal
Pachygrapsus
shore crabs, lined shore crabs
Pachygrapsus is a genus of small shore crabs in the family Grapsidae. The genus comprises approximately 14 species distributed across coastal regions, with Pachygrapsus crassipes (lined shore crab) being among the best-studied members. Recent genetic data suggest the genus may be polyphyletic, indicating potential taxonomic revision. Species in this genus occupy intertidal habitats and exhibit complex behavioral adaptations for life in dynamic coastal environments.
crustacean intertidal decapod grapsid-crab marine polyphyletic-genus
Pachygrapsus transversus
Mottled Shore Crab
A small to medium-sized shore crab native to the western Atlantic, ranging from the eastern United States through the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico to Brazil. The species inhabits rocky and hard substrates in intertidal zones, where it is commonly found in crevices and under rocks. Reproductive studies indicate it breeds in the Brazilian temperate zone, with specific population dynamics documented in that region. The species serves as a host for multiple parasites including the bopyrid isopod Leidya bimini and the rhizocephalan barnacle Sacculina carcini.
shore-crab intertidal western-Atlantic parasite-host Grapsidae Brachyura decapod crustacean
Pacifastacus gambelli
Pacifastacus gambelli is a species of crayfish in the family Astacidae. The genus Pacifastacus is native to western North America, with species distributed across freshwater habitats in the Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountain regions. P. gambelli is closely related to other Pacifastacus species including the widely studied signal crayfish (P. leniusculus), which has become a notorious invasive species in Europe. The species epithet 'gambelli' honors William Gambel, an American naturalist and explorer of the western United States in the 19th century.
crayfish freshwater Astacidae western-North-America Pacifastacus decapod crustacean William-Gambel
Pacifastacus leniusculus
Signal Crayfish
The signal crayfish is a large North American freshwater crayfish introduced to Europe in the 1960s to replace declining native fisheries. It has become one of the most ecologically impactful invasive decapods in Europe, outcompeting native crayfish and serving as a carrier of crayfish plague (Aphanomyces astaci). The species establishes self-sustaining populations rapidly, with six age cohorts documented within a few years of introduction. It shows sex- and size-specific coloration patterns, with males displaying more saturated and brighter ventral claw surfaces than females, suggesting a role in intraspecific communication.
invasive-species crayfish-plague-carrier decapod freshwater-crustacean conservation-concern species-of-Union-concern early-detection-rapid-response ark-sites ecosystem-engineer bioaccumulation sexual-dimorphism nocturnal-activity invasion-gradient trapping electrofishing eradication Mediterranean-invasion headwater-threat native-crayfish-displacement fisheries-introduction 1960s-introduction Europe Japan California-native Pacifastacus Astacidae Decapoda Malacostraca Arthropoda Aphanomyces-astaci white-clawed-crayfish signal-crayfish control-planning removal-actions catch-per-unit-effort color-variation carotenoids camouflage conspicuousness intraspecific-communication elemental-accumulation contaminant trophic-level macroinvertebrate plant-detritus riffle stream river lake tributary invasion-front core-population exploratory-behavior migration-patterns ontogenetic-color-change kick-sampling detection-protocol false-negative Catalonia Italy Portugal Spain Poland Scandinavia British-Isles Segura-River Clitunno-River Valla-stream Rabaçal-River Fosso-Vecchio Union-concern LIFE-IMAGINE eradication-attempt biosecurity pathway-action-plans INNS-inspectorate environmental-DNA eDNA host-pathogen-dynamics conservation-translocation ark-site aggregates-levy environment-agency BBC-wildlife-fund defra habitats-directive favourable-conservation-status unfavourable-bad extinction-risk funding-cuts ecosystem-services keystone-species woodland pollination decomposition nutrient-cycling predation water-purification citizen-science ex-situ-conservation-rearing zoos aquaria Fen-Raft-Spider Pond-Mud-Snail Large-Marsh-Grasshopper Freshwater-Pearl-Mussel Marbled-White-Butterfly Small-Skipper climate-change assisted-colonization range-margin biotic-response abiotic-driver warming pollution eutrophication functional-trait thermal-limit embryogenesis competitive-advantage alien-aquatic-species artificial-light-at-night nutrient-enrichment brown-trout biological-control 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Magliozzi freshwater-turtle Rato Carosi habitat-use trapping-efficiency hypersaline-lagoon Herrero-Reyes Iberian-Peninsula López-Cañizares African-marine-protected-area global-database Ackland Indian-freshwater-fish evidence-gap Kumar European-freshwater-plant ecosystem-impact Di-Lernia global-synthesis naturalised-plant aquatic-habitat Kortz interdisciplinarity translational-relevance issue-4930 Bluesky scholarly-publishing ecology invasion-ecology aquatic-ecosystem flatworm snail gang-attack extinction pot-plant soil-sterilization fumigation hot-water-immersion biosecurity-measure international-trade Hirudo-medicinalis Neil-Phillips Steven-Falk Sarah-Henshall omphiscola-glabra Cornwall Scotland Blera-fallax Epione-vespertaria Triops-cancriformis Eustroma-reticulatum Eresus-sandaliatus Formica-exsecta Gryllus-campestris Decticus-verrucivorous Pareulype-berberata Euphydryas-aurinia Margaritifera-margaritifera Gortyna-borelii-lunata Dolomedes-plantarius Coenagrion-mercuriale Leucorrhinia-dubia Stethophyma-grossum Melanargia-galathea Thymelicus-sylvestris Formica-rufa Kielder-Forest Northumberland Liz-Oldring Stephen-Wills Durham-University climate-suitability limited-funding biased-funding vertebrate nature-positive-trade 2024-General-Election Manifesto-for-Bugs seven-actions commitments halting-nature-loss reversing-invertebrate-decline Andrew-Whitehouse South-West-Manager Lord-De-Mauley wildlife-minister mineral-extraction Treasury George-Entwistle 50%-cut badger-cull river-dredging £100K £12.75 £420 £1,616 2012 2014 21-projects 2-projects reporting Bedstraw-hawk-moth national-pride leadership David-Smith Social-Change-and-Advocacy-Officer Lisa-Manning Policy-and-Engagement-Officer February-2024 GB-Non-Native-Species-Strategy one-year-anniversary measurability timeline off-track 2030 time-lag establishment Red-Imported-Fire-Ant Solenopsis-invicta world's-worst-invasive-species PaPs draft-form consultation-delay 2023-State-of-Nature-Report 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Paguroidea
hermit crabs
Paguroidea is a superfamily of decapod crustaceans comprising approximately 1100 species commonly known as hermit crabs. Members are characterized by a soft, asymmetrical abdomen adapted to occupy empty gastropod shells or, in specialized lineages, symbiotic relationships with sea anemones that form protective 'blankets' or 'carcinoecia'. The superfamily exhibits remarkable diversity in shell-use strategies, from traditional gastropod shells to bivalve shells and anemone-derived structures. Distributed across marine environments from intertidal zones to deep-sea habitats, with some lineages having colonized terrestrial ecosystems.
decapod crustacean shell-symbiosis anemone-symbiosis marine-invertebrate deep-sea intertidal terrestrial-adaptation sexual-dimorphism carcinoecia fossil-record-(Pliocene)
Pagurus
Pagurus is a genus of marine hermit crabs comprising approximately 170 described species. Members possess an uncalcified, asymmetrical abdomen that they protect by inhabiting empty gastropod shells. These decapod crustaceans occupy diverse marine habitats from intertidal zones to deep continental slopes. The genus exhibits broad geographic distribution across temperate and tropical waters worldwide.
marine decapod hermit-crab shell-dwelling benthic
Pagurus grainosinanus
Pagurus grainosinanus is a species of hermit crab in the family Paguridae. The species is documented within the genus Pagurus, a large and widespread group of marine hermit crabs characterized by asymmetrical abdomens adapted to occupy empty gastropod shells. Specific ecological and morphological details for this species remain poorly documented in available literature.
hermit-crab decapod marine-invertebrate Paguridae Anomura
Pagurus hirsutiusculus
Pacific Hairy Hermit Crab, Hairy Hermit Crab
Pagurus hirsutiusculus is a small marine hermit crab found along the North Pacific coast from Alaska to California and Japan. Adults reach up to 70 mm body length in northern populations, with southern populations being smaller and less hairy. The species is distinguished by dense body hair, white and blue bands on walking legs, and grayish-brown antennae with white bands. It inhabits the intertidal zone to depths of 110 m, commonly occupying empty gastropod shells for protection.
marine intertidal decapod hermit-crab detritivore parasite-host North-Pacific shell-dwelling
Pagurus longicarpus
long-clawed hermit crab, long-wristed hermit crab
Pagurus longicarpus is a small hermit crab species reaching up to 12.7 mm in shell length. It inhabits empty gastropod shells, primarily those of periwinkles, oyster drills, and mud snails. The species is distributed along the Atlantic coast of North America from Nova Scotia to Florida and westward to Texas, including the Gulf of Mexico. It occupies intertidal and subtidal habitats to depths of 200 meters, with seasonal movements between shallow tidal pools in warmer months and deeper waters in winter.
marine intertidal scavenger shell-dwelling decapod invasive-potential
Pagurus pollicaris
flat-clawed hermit crab, flatclaw hermit crab, gray hermit crab, shield hermit crab, thumb-clawed hermit crab, broad-clawed hermit crab, warty hermit crab
Pagurus pollicaris is a marine hermit crab found along the Atlantic coast of North America. It inhabits empty gastropod shells, particularly those of shark eye snails and whelks, and reaches approximately 31 mm in length. The species is distinguished by its broad, flat claws that can lock together to form an operculum when the crab withdraws into its shell.
marine intertidal decapod shell-dwelling
Palaemon
Glass Shrimps
Palaemon is a genus of caridean shrimp in the family Palaemonidae, commonly known as glass shrimps. The genus is widely distributed across marine, brackish, and freshwater habitats in temperate and tropical regions. Molecular studies suggest the conventional circumscription of Palaemon is likely paraphyletic, with related genera Palaemonetes, Exopalaemon, and Couteriella nested within it. Phylogenetic relationships in this group correspond more closely with geographic origin than with traditional genus-level taxonomy.
crustacean shrimp decapod palaemonid freshwater marine estuarine invasive-species fisheries phylogenetics paraphyly
Palaemon elegans
rockpool shrimp, rockpool prawn
Palaemon elegans is a small caridean shrimp native to northeastern Atlantic and Mediterranean coastal waters. It has expanded its range through human-mediated transport and changing environmental conditions, becoming established in the Baltic Sea, Caspian Sea, and Aral Sea. The species is ecologically similar to several congeners, particularly Palaemon adspersus, with which it competes and has displaced in some regions. Its tolerance of variable salinity has facilitated colonization of brackish environments.
crustacean shrimp decapod palaemonid invasive commercial-fishery brackish-water rockpool intertidal Baltic-Sea Mediterranean Azov-Sea
Persephona
mottled purse crab (for P. mediterranea)
Persephona is a genus of true crabs in the family Leucosiidae, established by Leach in 1817. The genus contains approximately five described species, including the mottled purse crab (P. mediterranea). These crabs belong to the purse crab family, characterized by their rounded, often box-like carapaces. Species in this genus are found in marine environments, with records from the Atlantic and Mediterranean regions.
crab marine benthic Leucosiidae decapod