| Abstract |
Crabs of the family Lithodidae are frequently encountered in the vicinity of deep-sea hydrothermal vents and cold-seeps. Together with crabs of the families Galatheidae and Chirostylidae, they are the main contributors to the scavenging/predatory fauna of these highly productive areas, and a potential vector for the export of organic carbon to the surrounding deep-sea communities. A review of the literature indicates that anomuran crabs have been reported from such environments since their discovery, and occur virtually anywhere a reducing habitat is found. These three families are represented by at least eight genera, with at least 14 species occurring in hot vent areas, and eight in cold-seep associated communities. |
