The systematics of the crabs of the family varunidae (Brachyura, Decapoda)

Abstract

Crabs of the family Varunidae are a large group of primarily marine and freshwater crabs that occur in tropical to temperate seas worldwide. Currently, there are 19 known genera with over 100 known species, many of which are of commercial, economic, medical and scientific importance. The last comprehensive review of this family was done more than a hundred years ago by Alcock (1900), and many modern workers still follow the system. In recent years, molecular and larval studies argued for the recognition of these grapsoid subfamilies as full families. The present study reviews and revises all the genera and species now regarded in Varunidae to ascertain if the grouping is natural. The study uses traditional characters and a variety of new sexual and non-sexual features which throw new light on how these taxon are identified and classified. All species, genera and subfamilies are diagnosed and/or described, and keys are provided.