Ryan Photographic - Hymenosomatidae - False spider crabs
Family Hymenosomatidae
There are currently 173 species of false spider crabs classified into 24 genera. The family is widely distributed in the world's oceans. One character that unites the family is their absence of a megalopa stage. They metamorphose directly from zoeae into first crab stage.
Hymenosomatids inhabit a surprisingly wide range of habitats ranging from freshwater to marine and with species living in coral reefs, muddy shores and even deep in cave systems. The cave dwelling species may be restricted to a single cave system.
Trigonoplax unguiformis False spider crab
Trigonoplax unguiformis False spider crab, Fiji