Squat lobster
Encyclopedia
Squat lobsters are decapod
crustacean
s of the families Galatheidae, Chirostylidae and Kiwaidae, including the common genera Galathea and Munida
. They are not lobster
s at all, but are more closely related to porcelain crab
s, hermit crab
s and then, more distantly, true crab
s. They are distributed worldwide in the oceans, and occur from near the surface to deep sea hydrothermal vents. There are currently 870 described species.
has a maximum body length of 10 centimetres (4 in) with abdomen extended, and the striated squat lobster Galathea australiensis has a carapace
that reaches 15 cm (6 in) in length.
The body of a squat lobster is usually flattened, the abdomen is typically folded under itself, and the first pereiopods (front legs) are greatly elongated and armed with long chelae (claws). The fifth pair of pereiopods is usually hidden within the gill chamber, under the carapace
, giving squat lobsters the appearance of having only eight pereiopods.
lobster," or sometimes called merely "lobster" when incorporated in seafood
dishes.
Munidopsis andamanica
is a deep sea species that is specialized to feed only on sunken wood, including trees washed out to sea and timber from ship wrecks.
squat lobsters have been found in strata dating back to the Middle Jurassic
of Europe
.
alone in the family Kiwaidae:
Decapoda
The decapods or Decapoda are an order of crustaceans within the class Malacostraca, including many familiar groups, such as crayfish, crabs, lobsters, prawns and shrimp. Most decapods are scavengers. It is estimated that the order contains nearly 15,000 species in around 2,700 genera, with...
crustacean
Crustacean
Crustaceans form a very large group of arthropods, usually treated as a subphylum, which includes such familiar animals as crabs, lobsters, crayfish, shrimp, krill and barnacles. The 50,000 described species range in size from Stygotantulus stocki at , to the Japanese spider crab with a leg span...
s of the families Galatheidae, Chirostylidae and Kiwaidae, including the common genera Galathea and Munida
Munida
Munida is the largest genus of squat lobsters, with over 240 species.-Species:*Munida abelloi Macpherson, 1994 *Munida acacia Ahyong, 2007 *Munida acantha Macpherson, 1994 *Munida aequalis Ahyong & Poore, 2004 *Munida affinis A...
. They are not lobster
Lobster
Clawed lobsters comprise a family of large marine crustaceans. Highly prized as seafood, lobsters are economically important, and are often one of the most profitable commodities in coastal areas they populate.Though several groups of crustaceans are known as lobsters, the clawed lobsters are most...
s at all, but are more closely related to porcelain crab
Porcelain crab
Porcelain crabs are decapod crustaceans in the widespread family Porcellanidae, which superficially resemble true crabs. They are typically less than wide, and have flattened bodies as an adaptation for living in rock crevices...
s, hermit crab
Hermit crab
Hermit crabs are decapod crustaceans of the superfamily Paguroidea. Most of the 1100 species possess an asymmetrical abdomen which is concealed in an empty gastropod shell that is carried around by the hermit crab.-Description:...
s and then, more distantly, true crab
Crab
True crabs are decapod crustaceans of the infraorder Brachyura, which typically have a very short projecting "tail" , or where the reduced abdomen is entirely hidden under the thorax...
s. They are distributed worldwide in the oceans, and occur from near the surface to deep sea hydrothermal vents. There are currently 870 described species.
Description and anatomy
Squat lobsters are much smaller than commercially-harvested true lobsters. For example, Munida rugosaMunida rugosa
Munida rugosa, commonly known as the rugose squat lobster or plated lobster, is a species of decapod crustacean found in the north east Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.-Taxonomy:...
has a maximum body length of 10 centimetres (4 in) with abdomen extended, and the striated squat lobster Galathea australiensis has a carapace
Carapace
A carapace is a dorsal section of the exoskeleton or shell in a number of animal groups, including arthropods such as crustaceans and arachnids, as well as vertebrates such as turtles and tortoises. In turtles and tortoises, the underside is called the plastron.-Crustaceans:In crustaceans, the...
that reaches 15 cm (6 in) in length.
The body of a squat lobster is usually flattened, the abdomen is typically folded under itself, and the first pereiopods (front legs) are greatly elongated and armed with long chelae (claws). The fifth pair of pereiopods is usually hidden within the gill chamber, under the carapace
Carapace
A carapace is a dorsal section of the exoskeleton or shell in a number of animal groups, including arthropods such as crustaceans and arachnids, as well as vertebrates such as turtles and tortoises. In turtles and tortoises, the underside is called the plastron.-Crustaceans:In crustaceans, the...
, giving squat lobsters the appearance of having only eight pereiopods.
Ecology and use by humans
Flesh from these animals is often commercially sold in restaurants as "langostinoLangostino
Langostino is a Spanish word with different meanings in different areas. In America, it is commonly used in the restaurant trade to refer to the meat of the squat lobster, which is neither a true lobster nor a prawn. It is more closely related to porcelain crabs and hermit crabs. Crustaceans...
lobster," or sometimes called merely "lobster" when incorporated in seafood
Seafood
Seafood is any form of marine life regarded as food by humans. Seafoods include fish, molluscs , crustaceans , echinoderms . Edible sea plants, such as some seaweeds and microalgae, are also seafood, and are widely eaten around the world, especially in Asia...
dishes.
Munidopsis andamanica
Munidopsis andamanica
Munidopsis andamanica is a species of squat lobster that lives in the deep sea and eats dead wood. It has long chelipeds , which are twice as long as the carapace....
is a deep sea species that is specialized to feed only on sunken wood, including trees washed out to sea and timber from ship wrecks.
Fossil record
FossilFossil
Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of animals , plants, and other organisms from the remote past...
squat lobsters have been found in strata dating back to the Middle Jurassic
Middle Jurassic
The Middle Jurassic is the second epoch of the Jurassic Period. It lasted from 176-161 million years ago. In European lithostratigraphy, rocks of this Middle Jurassic age are called the Dogger....
of Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
.
Genera
There are 42 extant genera of squat lobsters, 7 in the family Chirostylidae, 34 in the Galatheidae, and Kiwa hirsutaKiwa hirsuta
Kiwa hirsuta is a crustacean discovered in 2005 in the South Pacific Ocean. This decapod, which is approximately long, is notable for the quantity of silky blond setae covering its pereiopods . Its discoverers dubbed it the "yeti lobster" or "yeti crab."-Identification:K...
alone in the family Kiwaidae:
- Family Kiwaidae Macpherson, Jones & Segonzac, 2005
- KiwaKiwa hirsutaKiwa hirsuta is a crustacean discovered in 2005 in the South Pacific Ocean. This decapod, which is approximately long, is notable for the quantity of silky blond setae covering its pereiopods . Its discoverers dubbed it the "yeti lobster" or "yeti crab."-Identification:K...
Macpherson, Jones & Segonzac, 2005 - Family Chirostylidae Ortmann, 1892a
- ChirostylusChirostylusChirostylus is a genus of squat lobsters in the family Chirostylidae, containing the following species:* Chirostylus dolichopus Ortmann, 1892* Chirostylus micheleae Tirmizi & Khan, 1979* Chirostylus novaecaledoniae Baba, 1991...
Ortmann, 1892a - EumunidaEumunidaEumunida is a genus of squat lobsters. There are 28 recognised species in the genus, the majority of which are from the Pacific Ocean:*Eumunida ampliata De Saint Laurent & Poupin, 1996*Eumunida annulosa De Saint Laurent & Macpherson, 1990...
Smith, 1883 - GastroptychusGastroptychusGastroptychus is a genus of squat lobsters in the family Chirostylidae, containing the following species:* Gastroptychus affinis * Gastroptychus brachyterus Baba, 2005* Gastroptychus brevipropodus Baba, 1991...
Caullery, 1896 - HapaloptyxHapaloptyxHapaloptyx difficilis is a species of squat lobster in a monotypic genus in the family Chirostylidae....
Stebbing, 1920 - PseudomunidaPseudomunidaPseudomunida fragilis is a species of squat lobster in a monotypic genus in the family Chirostylidae....
Haig, 1979 - UroptychodesUroptychodesUroptychodes is a genus of squat lobsters in the family Chirostylidae, containing the following species:* Uroptychodes albatrossae * Uroptychodes barunae Baba, 2004* Uroptychodes benedicti...
Baba, 2004 - UroptychusUroptychusUroptychus is a genus of squat lobsters in the family Chirostylidae, containing the following species:* Uroptychus acostalis Baba, 1988* Uroptychus aguayoi Chace, 1939* Uroptychus alcocki Ahyong & Poore, 2004...
Henderson, 1888 - Family Galatheidae Samouelle, 1819
- AgononidaAgononidaAgononida is a genus of squat lobsters in the family Galatheidae, containing the following species:* Agononida aequabilis Macpherson, 2006* Agononida alisae Macpherson, 1999* Agononida analoga...
Baba & de Saint Laurent, 1996 - AlainiusAlainiusAlainius crosnieri is a species of squat lobster in a monotypic genus in the family Galatheidae....
Baba, 1991 - AllogalatheaAllogalatheaAllogalathea elegans is a species of squat lobster that is sometimes kept in marine aquariums. It is the only species in the genus Allogalathea....
Baba, 1969 - AllomunidaAllomunidaAllomunida magnicheles is a species of squat lobster in a monotypic genus in the family Galatheidae....
Baba, 1988 - AnomoeomunidaAnomoeomunidaAnomoeomunida caribensis is a species of squat lobster in a monotypic genus in the family Galatheidae....
Baba, 1993 - AnoplonidaAnoplonidaAnoplonida is a genus of squat lobsters in the family Galatheidae, containing the following species:* Anoplonida cracentis Baba & de Saint Laurent, 1996* Anoplonida inermis * Anoplonida patae Macpherson & Baba, 2006...
Baba & de Saint Laurent, 1996 - BabamunidaBabamunidaBabamunida is a genus of squat lobsters in the family Galatheidae, containing the following species:* Babamunida brucei * Babamunida callista * Babamunida debrae Baba, 2011...
Cabezas, Macpherson & Machordom, 2008 - BathymunidaBathymunidaBathymunida is a genus of squat lobsters in the family Galatheidae, containing the following species:* Bathymunida avatea Macpherson & Baba, 2006* Bathymunida balssi Van Dam, 1838* Bathymunida brevirostris...
Balss, 1914c - CervimunidaCervimunidaCervimunida is a genus of squat lobsters in the family Galatheidae, containing the following species:* Cervimunida johni Porter, 1903* Cervimunida princeps Benedict, 1902...
Benedict, 1902 - CoralliogalatheaCoralliogalatheaCoralliogalathea humilis is a species of squat lobster in a monotypic genus in the family Galatheidae....
Baba & Javed, 1974 - CrosnieritaCrosnieritaCrosnierita is a genus of squat lobsters in the family Galatheidae, containing the following species:* Crosnierita dicata Macpherson, 1998* Crosnierita tucanae Macpherson, 2004* Crosnierita urizae...
Macpherson, 1998 - EnriqueaEnriqueaEnriquea leviantennata is a species of squat lobster in a monotypic genus in the family Galatheidae....
Baba, 2005 - FennerogalatheaFennerogalatheaFennerogalathea is a genus of squat lobsters in the family Galatheidae, containing the following species:* Fennerogalathea chacei Baba, 1988* Fennerogalathea chirostyloides Tirmizi & Javed, 1993...
Baba, 1988 - GalacanthaGalacanthaGalacantha is a genus of squat lobsters in the family Galatheidae, containing the following species:* Galacantha bellis Henderson, 1885* Galacantha diomedeae Faxon, 1893* Galacantha quiquei Macpherson, 2007...
Milne-Edwards, 1880 - GalatheaGalatheaGalathea is one of the largest genera of squat lobsters, containing 70 currently recognised species...
Fabricius, 1793 - HeteronidaHeteronidaHeteronida is a genus of squat lobsters in the family Galatheidae, containing the following species:* Heteronida aspinirostris * Heteronida barunae Baba & de Saint Laurent, 1996* Heteronida clivicola Macpherson & Baba, 2006...
Baba & de Saint Laurent, 1996 - JanetogalatheaJanetogalatheaJanetogalathea californiensis is a species of squat lobster in a monotypic genus in the family Galatheidae....
Baba & Wicksten, 1997 - LaurieaLaurieaLauriea is a genus of squat lobsters in the family Galatheidae, containing the following species:* Lauriea gardineri * Lauriea siagiani Baba, 1994...
Baba, 1971 - LeiogalatheaLeiogalatheaLeiogalathea is a genus of squat lobsters in the family Galatheidae, containing the following species:* Leiogalathea agassizii * Leiogalathea laevirostris...
Baba, 1969 - MunidaMunidaMunida is the largest genus of squat lobsters, with over 240 species.-Species:*Munida abelloi Macpherson, 1994 *Munida acacia Ahyong, 2007 *Munida acantha Macpherson, 1994 *Munida aequalis Ahyong & Poore, 2004 *Munida affinis A...
Leach, 1820 - MunidopsisMunidopsisMunidopsis is a genus of squat lobster. It is the second largest of all the genera of squat lobsters, after Munida, with over 200 species. Its members are mainly found on continental slopes and on abyssal plains. Two fossil species are also known , including specimens from the Campanian...
Whiteaves, 1874 - NanogalatheaNanogalatheaNanogalathea raymondi is a species of squat lobster from the Bay of Bengal. It is the only species in the genus Nanogalathea. It can be distinguished from other squat lobsters by the lack of any teeth along the edge of the rostrum. The specific epithet raymondi commemorates the carcinologist...
Tirmizi & Javed, 1980 - NeonidaNeonidaNeonida grandis is a species of squat lobster in a monotypic genus in the family Galatheidae....
Baba & de Saint Laurent, 1996 - OnconidaOnconidaOnconida is a genus of squat lobsters in the family Galatheidae, containing the following species:* Onconida alaini Baba & de Saint Laurent, 1996* Onconida gemini Baba & de Saint Laurent, 1996* Onconida modica Baba & de Saint Laurent, 1996...
Baba & de Saint Laurent, 1996 - ParamunidaParamunidaParamunida is a genus of squat lobsters in the family Galatheidae, containing the following species:* Paramunida amphitrita Macpherson, 1996* Paramunida antipodes Ahyong & Poore, 2004* Paramunida belone Macpherson, 1993...
Baba, 1988 - PhylladiorhynchusPhylladiorhynchusPhylladiorhynchus is a genus of squat lobsters in the family Galatheidae, containing the following species:* Phylladiorhynchus bengalensis Tirmizi & Javed, 1980* Phylladiorhynchus ikedai...
Baba, 1969 - PlesionidaPlesionidaPlesionida is a genus of squat lobsters in the family Galatheidae, containing the following species:* Plesionida aliena * Plesionida psila Baba & de Saint Laurent, 1996...
Baba & de Saint Laurent, 1996 - PleuroncodesPleuroncodesPleuroncodes is a genus of squat lobsters in the family Galatheidae, containing the following species:* Pleuroncodes monodon * Pleuroncodes planipes Stimpson, 1860...
Stimpson, 1860b - RaymunidaRaymunidaRaymunida is a genus of squat lobsters in the family Galatheidae, containing the following species:* Raymunida bellior * Raymunida cagnetei Macpherson & Machordom, 2000* Raymunida confundens Macpherson & Machordom, 2001...
Macpherson & Machordom, 2000 - SadayoshiaSadayoshiaSadayoshia is a genus of squat lobsters in the family Galatheidae, containing the following species:* Sadayoshia acroporae Baba, 1972* Sadayoshia balica * Sadayoshia edwardsii...
Baba, 1969 - SetanidaSetanidaSetanida cristata is a species of squat lobster in a monotypic genus in the family Galatheidae....
Macpherson, 2006 - ShinkaiaShinkaiaShinkaia crosnieri is a species of squat lobster in a monotypic genus in the family Galatheidae....
Baba & Williams, 1998 - TasmanidaTasmanidaTasmanida norfolkae is a species of squat lobster in a monotypic genus in the family Galatheidae....
Ahyong, 2007 - TorbenellaTorbenellaTorbenella is a genus of squat lobsters in the family Galatheidae, containing the following species:* Torbenella calvata * Torbenella insolita * Torbenella orbis...
Baba, 2008