FAO Species Identification Guide for Fishery Purposes Western

Key to Anomura 1077
48a. Male first gonopods very slender, usually S-shaped,
tip relatively simple, often with long setae subdistally
and distally (Figs 92 and 93) . . . . Xanthidae (in part) (p. 1097)
48b. Male first gonopods moderately stout, sometimes
slightly sinuous, tip usually with numerous complex
folds (Figs 92b and 94) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Panopeidae
Fig. 93 Xanthidae Fig. 94 Panopeidae
(after Christiansen, 1969)
Key to Anomura KEY TO THE FAMILIES OF CRAB-LIKE ANOMURA
Notes: the following key covers all marine families of crab-like anomuran crabs recognized here, most of
which (except the Lomidae) have been reported from the Western Central Pacific. The key uses, wherever
possible, external and easily viewed characters. Due to the diversity in some families, however, not all their
members can be identified to the family level with this key, although it should work for the majority of species
encountered. A specialist should be consulted for the more difficult species. For further useful information
on crab-like anomurans and allies see De Man (1928), Miyake (1982), Macpherson (1988), McLaughlin
(1997), and Baba (1988).
1a. Carapace usually longitudinally ovate;
dactyli of second to fourth legs curved,
laterally flattened (Fig. 95a-c); burrowing
crabs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . → 2
1b. Carapace usually not longitudinally ovate;
dactyli of second to fourth legs normal,
not laterally flattened, usually non-burrowing
crabs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . → 3
2a. Carapace dorsoventrally flattened; first
leg subchelate, with pincer-like structure
(Fig. 96) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Albuneidae
2b. Carapace subcylindrical in cross-section;
first leg simple, not subchelate (Fig. 97) . . . Hippidae
Fig. 96 Albuneidae
1 st leg with
“pincer”
1 st leg simple
complex
lobes
a) Xanthidae b) Panopeidae
Fig. 92 male first gonopods
a) b) c)
Fig. 95 dactylus of legs 2-4
Fig. 97 Hippidae