Alcock, 1900
Body longer than broad, elongated and relatively narrow. Carapace with cervical and branchio-cardiac grooves present. Third maxilliped pediform. Uropods only ventral, represented by small platelets intercalated at the internal surface of abdominal segment 6, never dorsally visible. Branchiostegite always decalcified and membranous. Absence of a lateral linea. Orbit, antennular and antennal fossae not or hardly defined. P4 and P5 reduced, dorsal and ending in a terminal apparatus, either with the propodus extended to form an opposite "thumb" against which dactylus closes (genus Homolodromia), or with curved dactylus closing against heavy distal spines of the distal part of propodus (genus Dicranodromia). Anterior part of the thoracic sternum (sternites 1-3) very narrow and in a upper position. Abdomen of both sexes consisting of six segments plus the telson and with distinct pleurae; often in males presence of vestigial pleopods on segments 3-5; telson elongated. A specialized retaining mechanism of the abdomen present in D. felderi. Spermathecal apertures small and rounded, at the level of the genital openings. In females abdominal segment 1 with a pair of uniramous pleopods. Chelipeds with the dactylus closing into cleft tip of propodal finger and extending slightly beyond it. Carrying behaviour not recorded. (Guinot 1998)
Genus treated:
genus Dicranodromia A. Milne Edwards, 1880