Pink hermit crab

pink hermit crab
pink hermit crab in a shell encrusted with the shell-mimic hydroid
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Crustacea
Class: Malacostraca
Order: Decapoda
Infraorder: Anomura
Family: Diogenidae
Genus: Paguristes
Species: P. gamianus
Binomial name
Paguristes gamianus
(H. Milne-Edwards, 1836)

The pink hermit crab, Paguristes gamianus is a species of hermit crab in the family Diogenidae.[1]

Description

The pink hermit crab is a small hairy-legged pink hermit that grows to 2cm. It has black eyes and equal-sized pincers with brown tips. It has white tips to its second and third legs.[2]

Distribution

This crab is found only around the southern African coast from southern Namibia to Cape Agulhas in less than 12m of water.[2]

Ecology

The female of this species broods 12-15 eggs within the shell.[2]

References

  1. http://marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=208719 accessed 14 August 2913
  2. 1 2 3 Branch, G.M., Branch, M.L, Griffiths, C.L. and Beckley, L.E. 2010. Two Oceans: a guide to the marine life of southern Africa ISBN 978-1-77007-772-0
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