Calcinus argus
Species of hermit crab
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Calcinus argus, also known as the Argus hermit crab, is a species of hermit crabs in the family Diogenidae described by David Wooster in 1984.[1] Originating from the Indo-West Pacific near Hawaii.[2]
| Calcinus argus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Malacostraca |
| Order: | Decapoda |
| Suborder: | Pleocyemata |
| Infraorder: | Anomura |
| Family: | Diogenidae |
| Genus: | Calcinus |
| Species: | C. argus |
| Binomial name | |
| Calcinus argus Wooster, 1984 | |
Description
Calcinus argus is characterized by their unique colorization compared to other Calcinus species found in the same region. This organism features a unique, distinctly sized and spaced white spots across their three pereopods (walking legs) against a maroon shell.[3] They typically have longer, slender, eye stalks, along with a less rounded carapace.[4][5]
Calcinus argus has the segmented head, thorax, and abdomen, of the phylum Arthropoda. This organism has 5 pairs of legs as a member of the order Decopoda, with one pair being its chelipeds (claws), where its left claw is larger than the right.[4] Their carapace can be lightly green to completely white, and their eyes are black with small white spots.[3]
Distribution & habitat
Calcinus argus origins is in Hawaii. They are rarely found in the geographic division Indo-West Pacific;[2] in shallow waters ranging from Eastern Africa to the Hawaiian Islands.[6] Calcinus argus specimens were found and examined in the Mariana islands, along with 11 other Calcinus species by David Wooster.[4]
Calcinus argus can be found in intertidal depths from the surface to around 40m, enough exposure to moving, clean salt water, and never in the deeper waters, preferring the reef;[4] with the sea surface temperature in the 25-30 °C range, and sea surface salinity at 30-35 PSU. Note: Records from 2003 to 2007, with 3 from 2017.[6] Calcinus argus can be found in reef or near the reef in branches of Acropora coral or Pocillopora coral.[4][3]