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Abstract

The serological relationships of Pacific coast decapod Crustacea were investigated by use of blood sera and protein extracts. Blood sera were obtained from eight species representing six families; the protein extracts were produced from fifteen species as representatives of ten families. Protein extracts gave negative results. Testing with blood sera demonstrated no relationship between anomuran and brachyuran crustaceans. Within the Anomura a close relationship was found between the Lithodidae and Paguridae. In the Brachyura the relationships among the families Cancridae, Atelecyclidae, Grapsidae and Maiidae were found to be generally in accord with those established by morphological studies. Testing of three species of Cancer demonstrated that they are closely related, yet distinct species.