This illustrated atlas describes 256 extant brachyuran crab species in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Identification keys are provided for 37 brachyuran families, 144 genera and 256 species on the basis of their main synapomorphies. Brief but precise descriptions highlighting the main characteristics are also provided for every family.

A hands-on guide to diagnose the known brachyuran crabs with high-quality colour photos.

Part I - 1. Section Pdotremata Guinot, 1977.- Family Dromiidae De Haan, 1833 (sponge crabs).- Part II - Section Eubrachyura, Subsection Heterotremata.- 2. Family Calappidae De Haan, 1833 (box crabs, shame-faced crabs).- 3. Family Matutidae De Haan, 1835 (moon crabs).- 4. Family Carpiliidae Ortmann, 1893 (coral crabs).- 5. Family Corystidae Samoulle, 1819.- 6. Family Dorippidae MacLeay, 1838 (porter crabs).- 7. Family Eriphiidae MacLeay, 1838 (stone crabs).- 7. Family Menippidae Ortmann, 1893 (stone crabs).- 8. Family Oziidae Dana, 1851 (forceps crabs).- 9. Family Euryplacidae Stimpson, 1871.- 10. Family Goneplacidae MacLeay, 1838.- 11. Family Iphiculidae Alcock, 1896.- 12. Family Leucosiidae Samouelle, 1819 (pebble crabs).- 13. Family Hymenosomatidae MacLeay, 1838 (spider crabs).- 14. Family Epialtidae MacLeay, 1838 (spider crabs, decorator crabs).- 15. Family Inachidae MacLeay, 1838 (spider crabs, decorator crabs).-16. Family Majidae Samouelle, 1819 (spider crabs, decorator crabs).- 17. Family Parthenopidae MacLeay, 1938 (elbow crabs).- 18. Family Portunidae Rafinesque, 1815 (swimming crabs).- 19. Family Xanthidae MacLeay, 1838 (rubble crabs, stone crabs, rock crabs).- 20. Family Pseudoziidae Alcock, 1898 (stone crabs).- 21. Family Tetraliidae Castro, Ng and Ahyong, 2004 (coral crabs).- 22. Family Trapeziidae Miers, 1886 (coral crabs).- 23 Family Galenidae Alcock, 1898.- 24. Family Pilumnidae Samouelle, 1819 (hairy crabs).- 25. Family Hexapodidae Miers, 1886 (six-legged crabs).- 26. Family Xenophthalmidae Stimpson, 1858.- 27. Family Palicidae Bouvier, 1898 (stilt crabs).- Part III - Section Eubrachyura, Subsection Thoracotremata Guinot, 1977.- 28. Family Grapsidae MacLeay, 1838 (shore crabs, talon crabs).- 29. Family Sesarmidae Dana, 1851 (marsh crabs).- 30. Family Varunidae H. Milne Edwards, 1853.- 31. Family Plagusiidae Dana, 1851 (rafting crabs).- 32. Family Camptandriidae Stimpson, 1858.- 33. Family Dotillidae Stimpson, 1858 (soldier crabs).- 34. Family Macrophthalmidae Dana, 1851 (sentinel crabs).- 35. Family Ocypodidae Rafinesque, 1815 (ghost crabs, fiddler crabs).- 36. Family Pinnotheridae De Haan, 1833 (pea crabs)