Thalassina is a lobster-like animal which grows up to 30 centimetres (12 in) long, but is more typically 6–20 cm (2.4–7.9 in) long. Its colour … See more

Thalassina lives in burrows up to 2 m (6.6 ft) deep, and is active at night. Its burrowing fulfils an important rôle in the mangrove ecosystem bringing organic matter up … See more

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Thalassina is the only genus in the family Thalassinidae (=Scorpionoidae Haworth, 1825). For many years, only a single species, Thalassina anomala, was recognised, but a … See more

Thalassina is found along the coast of the Asian mainland from Kerala, India to Vietnam, including Sri Lanka and the Andaman and … See more

In parts of its range, including Indonesia, Philippines, New Guinea and Fiji, the claws of Thalassina are eaten, but the meat is bland and it is never very popular. In powdered See more

Fossils of Thalassina are encountered "in countless numbers", and extend back as far as the Miocene. They are generally preserved in a hard phosphatic nodule which is believed to be the animal's moulting position. Storms may trap the animals in their … See more

The extant species are:
• Thalassina anomala Herbst, 1804 – Indo-West Pacific, synonym T. maxima
• Thalassina … See more