General Description
Right claw (cheliped) larger than left, with strong ridge on palm (propodus). Palm triangular in cross-section and scarcely rotated with respect to 5th segment (carpus). Red with whitish bands on claws and legs. Carapace up to 5 mm long.
Biology
The legs and claws of this small species are candy-striped white and red and are relatively thin, but more important for species identification is the triangular cross-section of the left smaller claw (cheliped), resulting from a strong ridge on its outside. This species is especially common in Bass Strait.
Distribution
Southern temperate oceans, including south-eastern and eastern Australia.
Habitat
Intertidal, to depths of 14-128 m.
More Information
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Animal Type
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Animal SubType
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Brief Id
Lives in shell. Claws unequal, right larger than left, with red and whitish bands.
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Maximum Size
5 mm
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Habitats
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Diet
Organic matter
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Endemicity
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Commercial
No
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Conservation Statuses
DSE Advisory List: Not listed, EPBC Act 1999: Not listed, IUCN Red List: Not listed
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Depths
Shore (0-1 m), Shallow (1-30 m), Deep ( > 30 m)
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Water Column Locations
On or near seafloor
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Taxon Name
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Scientific Author
(Henderson, 1888)
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Common Name
Dwarf Hermit Crab
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Phylum
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Subphylum
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Class
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Subclass
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Species Name
nanus