Most of the Stomatopoda resemble the Thalassinidea in their mode of life, and show some curious similarities to them in structure, although by no means closely related. They are described as lying in wait for prey at the mouth of their burrows, darting out on passing fish or other animals, which they seize with their great saw-toothed claws, and retreating with great rapidity to the bottom of the burrow.
Most of the Crustacea mentioned live below tide-marks, and at all events are rarely seen when the sand in which they burrow is left bare by the tide; but there are others, especially on tropical shores, which seem to have their chief period of activity when the sand or mud banks on which they live are exposed to the air. Chief among these amphibious forms in the warmer seas are the Crabs of the genera Ocypode and Gelasimus and some of their allies.
PLATE XV
Ocypode cursor. WEST AFRICA. (REDUCED)
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Gelasimus tangeri. MALE ABOVE, FEMALE BELOW. WEST AFRICA. (REDUCED)