Carcinization

From Freepedia

Carcinization is a hypothesised process whereby a crustacean evolves into a crab-like form from a non-crab-like form. The term was introduced by Borradaile, who described it as "one of the many attempts of Nature to evolve a crab".

Carcinization is believed to have occurred in a number of groups of decapod crustaceans, most notably king crabs which most scientists believe evolved from hermit crab ancestors (there is still some debate over this point). Another example is the family Porcellanidae, or porcelain crabs; these are closely related to squat lobsters, from which they evolved into very crab-like animals. Indeed, only an expert would know that they are not true crabs.

The example of king crabs (family Lithodidae) evolving from hermit crabs has been particularly well studied and, although some workers doubt this theory, there is considerable evidence in its favour. For example: most hermit crabs are asymmetrical, so that they fit well into spiral snail shells; the abdomens of king crabs, even though they do not use snail shells for shelter, are also asymmetrical.

The word's apparent relation to cancer comes from the disease's being named after the Latin word for a crab.

References

• McLaughlin, P. A. & Lemaître, R. (1997): Carcinization in the Anomura - fact or fiction. 1. Evidence from adult morphology. Contributions to Zoology 67(2):79-123 [1]
• McLaughlin, P. A., Lemaître, R. & Tudge, C. C. (2004): Carcinization in the Anomura - fact or fiction. 2. Evidence from larval, megalopal and early juvenile morphology. Contributions to Zoology 73(3) [2]