Shell-use
Guides
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.