a. Zool. [f. mod.L. brachyura, (f. Gr. βραχύ-ς short + οὐρά tail) + -OUS.] Pertaining to the Brachyura, one of the three tribes of Decapod Crustacea, distinguished by the non-development of the abdomen or tail, including the crab and its congeners.
1828. Kirby & Sp., Entomol., xlviii. IV. 462. Brachyurous Decapod Crustacea.
184952. Todd, Cycl. Anat. & Phys., IV. 1302/2. In all other Brachyourous Decapods yet observed, a real metamorphosis takes place.
1877. Huxley, Anat. Inv. Anim., vii. 379. The Spiders stand in somewhat the same relation to the Scorpions, as the brachyurous to the macrurous Crustacea.
1852. Dana, Crust., I. 33. Not consistent with the Brachyural type.
1877. Huxley, Anat. Inv. Anim., vi. 350. The Anomuran condition passes into that of the young Brachyuran.