Munidopsidae

Munidopsidae is a family of crustaceans belonging to the order Decapoda.^[1] The Munidopsids are the deepest-dwelling family of superfamily Galatheoidea, which comprises families Galatheidae, Munididae, Munidopsidae, and Porcellanidae.^[2]

Munidopsids are one of the most common types of decapod found in abyssal zones,^[3] and have been found occupying active hydrothermal vents^[4] and cold seeps.^[5] Munidopsids reside from slope to abyssal floor, save for the species M. polymorpha, which can be found in submarine caves as shallow as 2 meters below sea level.^[6] They are commonly referred to as squat lobsters.^[7]

As of 2008, 224 species of Munidopsids have been catalogued: 71 in the Atlantic, 132 in the Pacific, and 50 in the Indian Ocean.^[6]