Walking Sideways: The Remarkable World of Crabs
"Weis relates the often-fascinating story of crabs from their origins in the Jurassic period to the modern dinner table. Along the way, examples of the nearly 7,000 known species are Weis's protagonists in discussions of habitats, anatomy and physiology, reproduction, behavior, ecology, and relationships with humans in mythology, literature, art, film, and the beach. . . . A surprising page-turner for anyone interested in natural history."—Library Journal(15 December 2012)"As the subtitle of the book indicates, the world of crabs is indeed a remarkable one. Weis (biology, Rutgers-Newark) brings some of this to light in a readable account of these fascinating crustaceans. Chapters cover a wide range of topics, from anatomy, ecology, and behavior to fisheries and other interactions with humans."—G.C. Jensen,Choice(July 2013)"InWalking Sideways, Judith S. Weis has thoroughly captured the diversity of lifestyle, form, and function of these ubiquitous animals. Found from the Arctic to the tropics, from the depths of hydrothermal vents to the branches of mangrove trees and the leaves of mountaintop bromeliads, crabs turn up in unexpected places. Those of us accustomed to encountering them in the rocky intertidal or the sandy beach marvel at the adaptations that make their varied lives possible. In chapters covering all the major topics of habitats, form and function, life cycle, behavior, ecology, fisheries, problems, and (very important) human interactions with crabs, including eating them, the author provides first-hand observations and stories from recent research. Her knowledge is nearly encyclopedic; despite my many years of research, observation, and reading about crabs, I learned a number of entirely new facts and met some species I had not heard about before. With plentiful illustrations and photographs of crabs in their habitats, this book will be a delight for the interested layperson, as well as the professional biologist in many fields."—Linda H. Mantel