Munididae
Munididae is a family of squat lobsters, also known as galatheids, that are found in all the world’s oceans. They are characterized by their squat bodies, short, stout legs, and large, prominent eyes. There are approximately 500 known species of Munididae, and they are found in a wide range of habitats, from shallow water to the deep sea.
Common Names
Munididae are commonly known as squat lobsters, galatheids, or hairy squat lobsters. The name "squat lobster" refers to their compact, crab-like body shape. "Galatheids" is a more scientific term that refers to their taxonomic order, Galatheida.
Characteristics
Members of Munididae have the following distinguishing characteristics:
- Squat body shape: They have a broad, flattened carapace (upper shell) and a short, stout abdomen.
- Large, prominent eyes: They have large, stalked eyes that are typically black or brown.
- Short, stout legs: They have five pairs of walking legs that are relatively short and stout, with the first pair being modified into chelipeds (claws).
- Hairy body: Many species have a hairy or spiny body, which may help them camouflage themselves on the seabed.
- Variable size: Munididae range in size from a few centimeters to over 20 centimeters in length.
Environments
Munididae are found in a wide variety of marine environments, including:
- Shallow water: Some species live in shallow waters, such as rocky reefs, coral reefs, and seagrass meadows.
- Deep sea: Other species are found in the deep sea, where they live on the seabed, in trenches, and around hydrothermal vents.
- Cold seeps: They are also found in cold seeps, areas where methane and other hydrocarbons seep from the ocean floor.
References
For more information on Munididae, you can visit the following websites: