King crab

Acantholithodes
Cryptolithodes
Dermaturus
Glyptolithodes
Hapalogaster
Lithodes
Lopholithodes
Neolithodes
Oedignathus
Paralithodes
Paralomis
Phyllolithodes
Placetron
Rhinolithodes

King crabs, also called stone crabs, are a family of crab-like decapod crustaceans chiefly found in cold seas. Their large size means that many species are widely caught and sold as food.

King crabs are generally believed to be derived from hermit crab ancestors, which may explain the asymmetry still found in the adult forms. Although some doubt still exists about this theory, king crabs are the most widely quoted example of carcinisation among the Decapoda. The evidence for this explanation comes from the asymmetry of the king crab's abdomen, which is thought to reflect the asymmetry of hermit crabs, which must fit into a spiral shell.