Munidopsis
Introduction '''''Munidopsis''''' is a genus of squat lobster. It is the second largest of all the genera of squat lobsters, after ''Munida'', with over 200 species. Its members are mainly found on continental slopes and on abyssal plains. A few fossil species are also known, including specimens from the Campanian (Cretaceous).
Diversity There are currently over 230 known species.
Distribution ''Munidopsis'', like other squat lobsters, are often found in chemosynthetic environments in the ocean. ''Munidopsis'' was the first confirmed genus to inhabit the underwater Mud volcano habitat.Most ''Munidopsis'' species are found in the deep sea at depths more than 5300m.In 2022, during surveys of the wreck of the ''Endurance'', a squat lobster believed to be an unidentified species in the ''Munidopsis'' genus was observed.
Historical significance The genus Munidopsis dates back to the Eocene and Upper Cretaceous of Antarctica.
Species The described living species are as follows:
References
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