Squat-lobster
Guides
Munididae
Munidid Squat Lobsters
Munididae is a family of squat lobsters (Decapoda: Anomura) taxonomically separated from Galatheidae in 2010. Members are predominantly deep-water taxa distinguished by a trispinose frontal edge to the carapace, a central rostrum, and two spines extending forward from above the eyes. The family exhibits substantial cryptic diversity, with species often distinguishable only by subtle morphological differences in telson shape and pereopod dactyli. Reproductive strategies vary, with Munididae typically producing numerous small eggs compared to related families.
Pleuroncodes
red crab, tuna crab, squat lobster, múnida
Pleuroncodes is a genus of anomuran crustaceans (squat lobsters) in the family Munididae, found in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Species occupy both pelagic and benthic habitats depending on life stage, with larvae and small individuals in pelagic waters and larger adults on the seafloor. The genus includes commercially and ecologically important species that form dense aggregations and serve as prey for large marine predators.
Pleuroncodes planipes
pelagic red crab, tuna crab, squat lobster, langostilla, benthic anomuran red crab
Pleuroncodes planipes is a pelagic and benthic anomuran red crab distributed across the eastern Pacific Ocean, from California to Panama. The species exhibits a complex life cycle with both pelagic and benthic phases: larvae and small individuals occupy open waters, while larger adults become exclusively benthic. It forms exceptionally dense aggregations on seamounts, with recorded densities up to 78 crabs/m² at depths of 355–385 m. The species tolerates hypoxic conditions (0.04 ml/l oxygen) and serves as a major prey item for large pelagic predators including yellowfin and skipjack tuna.