Paguridae Latreille 1802

A closeup of the anterior head and eyes. Photo by Aaron Baldwin, 2007

Nematopagurus gardineri (Alcock, 1905)Plate LXVIII: Figure 3

hermit crab

hermit crab

Hermit crab eye

Legs 4 and 5 are reduced in hermit crabs, and in most of them leg 4 is subchelate, as seen here. In the picture, leg 1 (the left chela) is partly hidden. Legs 2 and 3 are long and used for walking. Legs 4 and 5 are reduced and used for manipulating the shell. Photo by Dave Cowles, July 2005

In this view one can see that the carpus of the right cheliped is longer than wide, and the propodus and dactyl of the left cheliped have a gap between them. Photo by Aaron Baldwin, 2007

hermit crab

hermit crab

The features in the following pictures are useful for identifying this species: The carapace shield (anterior, calcified part) is about as wide as long. The rostrum is rounded. The eyescales have no deep median furrow and their base is not covered by the carapace. The carpus of the right cheliped is longer than wide. The dorsal surface of the left chela has no prominent ridge near the midline.

The female was carrying 140-160 early stage embryos Photo by Aaron Baldwin, 2007

hermit crab

This is a view of the carpus, propodus, and dactyl of left legs 2 and 3 (+ a portion of the antennal flagellum). Anterior is downward. Note the line of spines easily visible on the posteroventral margin of the propodus of leg 3, and the red band at the junction of the propodus and dactyl.

Pagurus quaylei captured at 25 m depth by dredge off Japonski Island, Sitka, Alaska. Carapace width 2.7 mm. Shell is a small Amphissa columbiana. This individual is a brooding female with 140-160 early stage embryos attached (photo). (Photo and identification by: Aaron Baldwin, 2007)

The merus of the right cheliped has two large tubercles on the ventral side, visible here as orange spots. Anterior is downward in this photo.

Another photo of the same individual as above.

Here is another individual of Pagurus beringanus

The same individual trying to right the sponge.

Pagurus beringanus, total length 2 cm, from extreme low intertidal on Sares Head (Photo by: Dave Cowles, July 2005)

An underwater photo of Pagurus stevensae by Aaron Baldwin

This species often chooses shells large enough to withdraw into entirely. Photo by Dave Cowles, July 2005

Pagurus stevensae captured at 80 m depth in the San Juan Channel (Photo by: Dave Cowles July 2001)

The carpus of the right cheliped is longer than wide. The merus has 2 prominent tubercles on its underside (colored light blue) Photo by Dave Cowles, July 2005