FAO Species Identification Guide for Fishery Purposes Western

Key to Brachyura 1063
Fig. 9 Cyclodorippidae Fig. 10 Cymonomidae
7a. Carapace pyriform (pear-shaped) (Fig. 12); orbits incomplete; carapace, chelipeds, and
legs often with hooked setae; vulvae of adult female on thoracic sternum (Fig. 11a)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Majidae (in part) (p. 1136)
7b. Carapace shape not as above; orbits usually complete; carapace, chelipeds, and legs
without hooked setae; vulvae of adult female on coxae of third legs (Fig. 11b) . . . . . . . . . . → 8
vulva on
sternum
vulva on coxa
of 3 rd leg
a) Majidae b) others
Fig. 11 position of female vulvae on ventral side of body Fig. 12 Majidae
(abdomen omitted)
8a. Carapace longitudinally rectangular, dorsal surface glabrous or with scattered stiff
setae; only fourth pair of legs with dactylus and propodus subchelate to chelate (Fig. 13)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Homolidae (p. 1083)
8b. Carapace longitudinally ovate, circular or hexagonal, dorsal surface usually with dense,
soft setae; both third and fourth legs with dactylus and propodus subchelate to chelate;
carries sponges and sea anemones when alive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . → 9
9a. Carapace circular to hexagonal; a small platelet-like structure usually intercalated
between edges of sixth abdominal segment and telson (Fig. 14a); crab carries sponges,
tunicates, and bivalve shells (Fig. 15) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dromiidae (p. 1085)
9b. Carapace longitudinally ovate; no platelet-like structure intercalated between edges of
sixth abdominal segment and telson (Fig. 14b); crab believed to carry sponges or related
objects (Fig. 16) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Homolodromiidae
Fig. 13 Homolidae
telson
6
5
4
3
platelet-like
structure
a) b)
Fig. 14 male abdomen
6
5
4
3