Crustaceans->Squat Lobsters
Uroptychus nigricapillis associated with gorgonian corals.
Image ~ © National Taiwan Ocean University
Squat Lobsters
Squat lobsters are dominant, numerous and highly visible crustaceans on seamounts, continental margins, many shelf environments, coral reefs and at hydrothermal vents. More than 870 species are known. They frequently feature in deep-sea images taken by submersibles and are caught in large numbers by benthic dredges. Some species are so locally abundant that they form 'red tides'. One species, the so-called 'yeti-lobster' became an international press celebratory when it was reported as a new species in a new family in 2005.
Squat lobsters are members of the crustacean order Decapoda, along with crabs and shrimps, but are more related to hermit crabs. Squat lobsters belong to two superfamilies, the Chirostyloidea and Galatheoidea. The two superfamilies are not sister taxa. Chirostyloidea includes 4 families (Chirostylidae, Eumunididae, Kiwaidae, and Sternostylidae). Galatheoidea includes 3 squat lobster families (Galatheidae, Munididae, Munidopsidae) and the porcelain crabs (Porcellanidae).
The taxonomy of the squat lobsters has been intensively studied over the past few decades, making them one of the best known deepwater crustacean 'groups'. As a result, they have attracted the attention of deep-sea ecologists using them as proxies to test various hypotheses about deepwater ecological processes and biogeography. Interest in squat lobsters now extends much more widely than the taxonomic community.
This website was supported through funding from the Australian Government’s Australian Biological Resources Study National Taxonomy Research Grant Program, and the Census of Marine Life project COMARGE (Continental Margin Ecosystems).
The Delta databases available for download from this site are in TEST phase and will be regularly updated. For further information regarding these databases please contact Dr. Anna McCallum amccallum@museum.vic.gov.au
Dr Anna W. McCallum, Museums Victoria
Dr Shane T. Ahyong, Australian Museum
Dr Joanne Taylor, Museums Victoria
Dr Gary C. B. Poore, Curator Emeritus, Museums Victoria
Squat Lobster Catologue
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Marine Sciences, Melbourne Museum, Carlton, Victoria, Australia
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