Curious Cases To Crab, or Not to Crab?
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Oct 10, 2025 In this intriguing discussion, Dr. Joanna Wolfe, an evolutionary biologist, Professor Matthew Wills, a paleobiologist, and crab aficionado Ned Suesat-Williams dive into the quirky world of crabs. They unravel the concept of carcinization, revealing how crab-like forms evolved independently multiple times. Discover the traits that make crabs so successful, from their unique sideways walking to their remarkable ecological roles. Plus, hear about the fascination crabs hold in culture and science, making them the ultimate evolution favorites.
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Daily Crab Questions At The Museum
- Ned says visitors ask about everything turning into crabs almost daily at the Crab Museum, admitting carcinisation 'won the PR game.'
- He celebrates crabs' oddness and popularity as part of why the meme spread so widely.
Two Different Crab Lineages
- True crabs (Brachyura) and 'false' crabs (Anomura) are distinct evolutionary groups with a common ancestor ~300 million years ago.
- Many animals that look like crabs (hermit, porcelain, king crabs) are not true crabs but convergent forms.
Crab Shape Is An Evolutionary Trade-Off
- Folding the abdomen under the cephalothorax makes crustaceans compact and better armored but sacrifices the tail-fan escape sprint.
- Becoming crab-like trades off rapid backward escape for compact protection and armor.