Morphological and molecular investigation of some xanthid crabs from the Egyptian coast of the Red Sea

Abstract Family Xanthidae comprises 15 subfamilies and over 600 accepted species; they are represented well in the foreshore marine environments. Members of family multi-colored crabs, usually inhabiting rocky coasts, coral reefs, mud flats, all which along Egyptian coast Red Sea. Here, we utilized cytochrome oxidase subunit I ( COI ) sequences combined with morphology to provide information on some xanthid specimens collected from Six species within four genera Leptodius , Etisus Cyclodius Chlorodiella were collected. Genetic distances morphological analyses showed intraspecific variations between two morphotypes exaratus . Two examined, E. laevimanus sp. The latter was close E frontalis especially regard frontal lobe morphology, but different male's first gonopod, interspecific genetic distances. We also identified nigra C laevissima Obtained granulatus revealed that these likely cases variation. results this study should a basis for future work coasts Sea, is needed as data remain scant.