Belliidae

Belliidae is a family of crabs belonging to the superfamily Leucosioidea. These crabs are characterized by their distinctive, often spherical or box-like carapace. They are typically small to medium in size and can be found in various marine environments, including rocky intertidal zones and deeper offshore habitats.

The carapace of Belliidae crabs is generally smooth and may exhibit ornamentation such as tubercles or ridges. Their chelipeds (claws) are often relatively small compared to the body size. The walking legs are adapted for crawling and gripping onto surfaces.

The exact number of genera and species within Belliidae has varied over time due to taxonomic revisions. The family includes genera such as Belliopsis and Bellia. Further research continues to refine our understanding of the evolutionary relationships within this crab family.