The Portunidae, commonly known as swimming crabs, are a family of crabs that are found in all the world’s oceans. They are characterized by their flattened, broad carapace and their ability to swim using their paddle-like fifth pair of legs. Portunidae are an important part of marine ecosystems, serving as predators, scavengers, and prey for larger animals.
Portunidae crabs are known by a variety of common names, including swimming crabs, blue crabs, and sand crabs. These names are often used to refer to specific species within the family, but the general term swimming crab is used to describe any member of the Portunidae family.
Portunidae crabs have a number of characteristics that distinguish them from other crabs. These include:
Portunidae crabs are found in a variety of marine environments, including:
They are often found in areas with soft sediment bottoms, where they can burrow to escape predators or wait for prey.
For further information on Portunidae, please refer to the following resources:
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