Superfamily HIPPOIDEA Latreille, 1825

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Introduction

Hippoids are burrowing crabs living in sandy habitats, predominantly from the tropics and subtropics. Many species are abundant on beaches and accessible for study – their ecology is well studied. Their longitudinally streamlined body and flattened walking legs are key adaptations allowing them to rapidly burrow backwards into the substrate.

The taxonomy of all families, genera and species of Albuneidae and Blepharipodidae was documented in detail by (Boyko 2002). Boyko & Harvey (2009) reviewed this study adding an analysis of phylogeny and biogeography.

Diagnosis

Sternal plastron consisting of thoracic sternites 3–7, thoracic sternite 8 independent. Pleon symmetrical; pleonites separate, calcified and distinct. Ocular scales absent. Antennal peduncle of 5 articulating articles. Pereopods 1 symmetrical, simple or flat, subchelate. Pereopods 2–4 with flattened dactyli. Pereopod 4 ambulatory, like 2 and 3. Uropods narrow, symmetrical. Telson longer than wide, not forming tail-fan with uropods.

Diagnosis References

Poore, G.C.B.,& Ahyong, S.T. 2023. Marine decapod Crustacea. A guide to families and genera of the World. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing pp. 928.

General References

Boyko, C.B. 2002. A worldwide revision of the recent and fossil sand crabs of the Albuneidae Stimpson and Blepharipodidae, new family (Crustacea: Decapoda: Anomura: Hippoidea). Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 272. 396 pp.

Boyko, C.B. & Harvey, A.W. 2009. Phylogenetic systematics and biogeography of the sand crab families Albuneidae and Blepharipodidae (Crustacea: Anomura: Hippoidea). Invertebrate Systematics 23: 1-18

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