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Typhlopseudothelphusa

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Genus of crabs

Typhlopseudothelphusa
Typhlopseudothelphusa juberthiei
Typhlopseudothelphusa mitchelli
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Malacostraca
Order: Decapoda
Suborder: Pleocyemata
Infraorder: Brachyura
Family: Pseudothelphusidae
Genus: Typhlopseudothelphusa
Rioja, 1952

Typhlopseudothelphusa is a genus of subterranean-adapted (troglobionts) crabs in the family Pseudothelphusidae, containing the following species:

Description

All known Typhlopseudothelphusa species are adapted to the subterranean realm. They are depigmented (lack pigment), have no to highly reduced eyes/ eye stalks, and have elongated and slender appendages. As with all organisms adapted to the subterranean environment, these crabs occur in the deepest reaches of caves--known as the cave deep zone.

Etymology

The suffix Typhlo- from the genus name Typhlopseudothelphusa is derived from Greek typhlos for "blind", because complete blindness of the crabs from this genus due to the troglobitic lifestyle.

Distribution

Typhlopseudothelphusa crabs are known from fresh water in karstic caves from Central America.

References

  1. Howarth, F.G. (1980). "The Zoogeography of Specialized Cave Animals: A Bioclimatic Model". Evolution.
Taxon identifiers
Typhlopseudothelphusa


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