General Description
Carapace anterolateral margin with 3 sharp spines, usually secondarily tuberculate; carapace with scattered long stiff hairs, especially anteriorly; larger specimens with small spinules close to anterolateral margin of carapace. Cheliped with small stout spines on outer face; walking legs with few tubercles or smooth on upper margin of meri, with spines on carpi and propodi. Up to 17 mm wide.
Biology
Whereas many crabs will attempt to escape when disturbed or captured, pilumnud crabs play dead, curling their legs up to look as inconspicuous as possible. Their camouflage makes them difficult to see even when rocks are turned. This species is common in Bass Strait.
Distribution
Southern temperate oceans, including southern Australia.
Habitat
Intertidal, to 100 m depth.
More Information
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Animal Type
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Animal SubType
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Brief Id
Carapace scattered with long stiff hairs, claws with small stout spines on outer face.
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Maximum Size
17 mm
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Habitats
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Diet
Organic matter
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Hazards
Not harmful but a nip from large claws could be painful
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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
Rathbun, 1923
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Common Name
Hairy Crab
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Phylum
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Subphylum
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Superclass
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Class
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Subclass
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Superorder
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Order
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Suborder
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Infraorder
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Family
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Subfamily
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Genus
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Species Name
etheridgei
