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Carcinisation (or carcinization) is an example of convergent evolution in which a crustacean evolves into a crab-like form from a non-crab-like form. The term was introduced into evolutionary biology by L. A. Borradaile, who described it as "one of the many attempts of Nature to evolve a crab".[1]
Porcelain crabs resemble crabs, but are more closely related to squat lobsters and hermit crabs.
Examples
Carcinisation is believed to have occurred independently in at least five groups of decapod crustaceans:[2]
King crabs, which most scientists believe evolved from hermit crab ancestors[3][4]
Porcelain crabs, which are closely related to squat lobsters[5]
The hairy stone crab (Lomis hirta)[6]
The coconut crab (Birgus latro)
True crabs (Brachyura)[7]
A prehistoric example is the extinct crustacean order Cyclida, which evolved their crab-like morphology before the existence of true crabs.[8]
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Komt zo'n fenomeen ook bij andere dieren voor?
