| Homolidae | |
|---|---|
| Paromola cuvieri | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Crustacea |
| Class: | Malacostraca |
| Order: | Decapoda |
| Infraorder: | Brachyura |
| Section: | Dromiacea |
| Superfamily: | Homoloidea |
| Family: | Homolidae De Haan, 1839 |
The family Homolidae, known as carrier crabs[1] or porter crabs,[2] contains 14 genera of marine crabs. They mostly live on the continental slope and continental shelf, and are rarely encountered.[3] Members of the Homolidae have their fifth pereiopods (last pair of walking legs) in a sub-dorsal position, which allows them to hold objects in place over the rear half of the carapace.[3] The objects carried include sponges, black corals and gorgonians, and this is behaviour may be a defence mechanism against predators.[3] Some species have been observed carrying living sea urchins in a symbiotic relationship which allows them to benefit from the protection of the urchin's dangerous spikes.[4][5]
A total of 14 genera are currently recognised in the family:[6]