A case of dimorphism among the males of the pinnotherid crab, Zaops ostreum (Say, 1817), is reported. The morphological features of the two types of males are also given.

Chaceon fenneri (Manning & Holthuis, 1984), so far known only from the offshore region of Florida, was collected off the Northeast of Brazil. A discussion on the variation within the species and morphometric data of the specimens examined are also given.

A new species of Podochela Stimpson, 1860, P. meloi sp. n., collected from one of the estuaries of the State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil is described with illustrations showing its distinguishing features. A key to the species is provided.

A new species of xanthid crab, Hexapanopeus manningi, closely related to H. caribbaeus Stimpson, 1871 collected from mangrove areas in the estuaries of Rio Grande do Norte. Brazil is described. This is the sixth species of Hexapanopeus Rathbun, 1898 from Brazil. Distinguishing features of the species are also mentioned to facilitate its separation from closely related species.

Callinectes maracaibonesis Taissoun originally recorded from Venezuela is now confirmed to be present in the northeast region of Brazil. In fact, the species is more common than C. bocourti and possibly due to its close resemblence to the former may have been identified as the latter. Striking colour patterns of the two species which co-exist in the same habitat drew attention of the authors and a careful examination of several specimens showed distinct morphological differences between the two species.

A detailed description of laboratory reared first zoea larva of Callinectes danae Smith, 1869 is given. The larvae utilized for this study were reared in vitro in a special incubator. A comparison with larvae of other species is also attempted.