Th e xanthid crabs of Californi a are common
but seldom seen members of the lower intertidalzone
fauna, found along protected rocky beaches.
Their superficial resemblance to beach pebble s
and their ability to "play dead" make them an
interesting group to study. Because of their
similarity, the scope of this paper has been
broadened to cover the four major species found
locally, rath er than just one species. Thus, Lopbopanopeus
leueomanus leueomanus (Lockington),
Lophopanopeus bellus diegensis Rathbun,
Paraxanthias taylori (Stimpson), and Cycloxantbops
novemdentatus (Lockingron) are discussed
collectively as the major California Xan -
thidae. Information concerning the reproduction
and life history of this group is almost totally