Superfamilia Cryptochiroidea

Paulson, 1875

Parasitic and gall- or pit-forming crab on corals. The carapace narrow and more or less oblong, or semicylindrical, not much narrowed anteriorly. Front usually subtruncate or emarginate without a central tooth. External maxillipeds separated at base by a sternal lobe; ischium broad, often with a convex inner lobe; merus small, seated well back, with the palp articulating in a notch of inner edge; exognath small. Epistome feebly developed; buccal area large and arched anteriorly. Lower border of orbit little developed. Outer antennae small and extraorbital. Antennules with a large, prominent basal article. Chelipeds feeble, often little if any larger than the next legs; chelae simple, with acute tips. Ambulatory legs similar, short, with short, sharp, hooked claws, for strong adhesion; the posterior ones not articulated much higher up than the others (Verrill, modified). (Sakai, 1976)

Family treated:
family Cryptochiridae Paulson, 1875

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