Suborder Brachyura refers to a taxonomic subcategory within the order Decapoda, which includes various species of crabs. It is derived from the Greek words "brachys," meaning short, and "oura," meaning tail or rearmost part. This suborder is characterized by crabs that possess a relatively short abdomen, which is tucked beneath the thorax, giving them a compact shape.
Crabs belonging to the suborder Brachyura are widely distributed in marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments all around the world. They exhibit a wide range of sizes, from small species measuring a few millimeters to larger ones with leg spans that can reach several meters. These creatures have a hard exoskeleton and a pair of formidable claws or pincers, which they use for various purposes such as defense, feeding, and courtship.
The members of this suborder display a remarkable diversity in terms of color, shape, and behavior. They are renowned for their ability to adapt to different habitats, including sandy or rocky shores, coral reefs, estuaries, and even deep-sea environments. Brachyuran crabs feed on a variety of food sources, including small fish, invertebrates, algae, and detritus, contributing significantly to ecosystem dynamics.
The suborder Brachyura encompasses numerous families, including famous crab taxa such as the Dungeness crab, ghost crab, hermit crab, fiddler crab, and king crab. Due to their ecological importance and cultural significance, various studies are conducted to understand their biology, behavior, and conservation.
