de Haan, 1833
Small symbiotic crabs, usually living as commensals. Carapace not appreciably broader than long and usually not transverse, its shape often circular, with rounded angles. Antero-lateral margins smooth or with minute teeth. Front, orbits and eyes minute. Cornea sometimes indistinct. Antennules folding obliquely in small pits. Antennae very small. Buccal cavern very broad, short, usually semicircular. Third maxillipeds variable, always with ischium and merus indistinguishably fused in a single piece, which is usually folding almost transversely; merus often very large; ischium either rudimentary or indistinguishably fused with merus to form a single piece which is usually oblique, sometimes transverse; palp not so large as the basi-ischium; dactylus subterminal. (Guinot 1998)
Genera treated:
genus Durckheimia de Man, 1889
genus Holothuriophilus Nauck, 1880
genus Orthotheres Sakai, 1969
genus Ostracotheres H. Milne Edwards, 1853
genus Pinnaxodes Heller, 1865
genus Pinnotheres Bosc, 1802
genus Sakaina Serène, 1964
genus Xanthasia White, 1846