Typhlopseudothelphusa

Typhlopseudothelphusa is a genus of subterranean-adapted (troglobionts) crabs in the family Pseudothelphusidae, containing the following species:

• Typhlopseudothelphusa acanthochela Hobbs, 1986
• Typhlopseudothelphusa hyba Rodríguez & Hobbs, 1989
• Typhlopseudothelphusa juberthiei Delamare Debouteville, 1976
• Typhlopseudothelphusa mitchelli Delamare Debouteville, 1976
• Typhlopseudothelphusa mocinoi Rioja, 1952

Typhlopseudothelphusa
Typhlopseudothelphusa juberthiei
Typhlopseudothelphusa mitchelli
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Crustacea
Class:	Malacostraca
Order:	Decapoda
Infraorder:	Brachyura
Family:	Pseudothelphusidae
Genus:	Typhlopseudothelphusa Rioja, 1952

Description

All known Typhlopseudothelphusa species are adapted to the subterranean realm. They are depigmented (lack pigment), have no to highly reduced eyes/ eye stalks, and have elongated and slender appendages. As with all organisms adapted to the subterranean environment, these crabs occur in the deepest reaches of caves--known as the cave deep zone.

Etymology

The suffix Typhlo- from the genus name Typhlopseudothelphusa is derived from Greek typhlos for "blind", because complete blindness of the crabs from this genus due to the troglobitic lifestyle.

Distribution

Typhlopseudothelphusa crabs are known from fresh water in karstic caves from Central America.