Pseudothelphusidae is a family of freshwater crabs found chiefly in mountain streams in the Neotropics. They are believed to have originated in the Greater Antilles and then crossed to Central America via a Pliocene land bridge. Some species of this family are troglobitic.
Parasitology Pseudothelpshusids are of significance to humans because many species are secondary hosts for lung flukes of the genus Paragonimus. Predators of pseuthelphusid crabs include the yellow-spotted river turtle and the tufted capuchin.
Taxonomy The following subfamilies and genera are recognised:
Guinotinae
Hypolobocerinae
Kingsleyinae
Potamocarcininae
Pseudothelphusinae
Ptychophallinae
Raddausinae
Strengerianinae
References