Arthropoda
Paguristes tortugae
(Hermit Crab)
Size
Anterior shield width: 0.7cm (0.3") Anterior shield length: 0.5cm (0.2")
Recognition Characters
Anterior shield of carapace is longer than broad, tapering towards posterior end. Rostrum ends in acute tip. Antennular peduncles reach to base of cornea or slightly beyond. Antennal peduncles reach to 3/4 length of eyestalks. Chelipeds are equal, hairy, 4 to 5 spines on outer surface, carpus with 4 spines on interior margin.
Color
Varying from white to red to reddish orange. Ocular peduncles are white and often circumscribed with 1 or 2 bands of black near base of cornea. Chelipeds are white, pink, or reddish. Spines are usually dark red or reddish-orange.
Habitat & Depth
Reefs, shelly or rocky bottoms. Occupy shells of Calliostoma.
Distribution at GRNMS
Common. Occupy empty Calliostoma shells. Located under rocky rubble and crevices in reef.
Geographic Range
Beaufort, North Carolina to Pensacola, Florida, West Indies to Brazil, Gulf of Mexico
Behavior & Notes
Synonyms
Williams 1984