The family Homolidae, known as carrier crabs or porter crabs,Family Homolidae (Porter crabs) at the Marine Species Identification Portal contains 14 genera of marine crabs. They mostly live on the continental slope and continental shelf, and are rarely encountered. Members of the Homolidae have their fifth pereiopods (last pair of walking legs) in a sub-dorsal position, which allows them to hold objects in place over the rear half of the carapace. The objects carried include sponges, black corals and gorgonians, and this behaviour may be a defence mechanism against predators. Some species have been observed carrying living sea urchins in a symbiotic relationship which allows them to benefit from the protection of the urchin's dangerous spikes.Carrier Crab video , National Geographic
The genus was erected by Dutch zoologist Wilhem De Haan in 1839.
Genera A total of 14 genera are currently recognised in the family: Dagnaudus Guinot & Richer de Forges, 1995 Gordonopsis Guinot & Richer de Forges, 1995 Homola Leach, 1816 Homolax Alcock, 1899 Homolochunia Doflein, 1904 Homologenus A. Milne-Edwards, in Henderson, 1888 Homolomannia Ihle, 1912 Ihlopsis Guinot & Richer de Forges, 1995 Lamoha Ng, 1998 Latreillopsis Henderson, 1888 Moloha Barnard, 1947 Paromola Wood-Mason & Alcock, 1891 Paromolopsis Wood-Mason & Alcock, 1891 Yaldwynopsis Guinot & Richer de Forges, 1995
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