Bering Hermit Crab

This hermit crab has a rounded carapace, red bands on legs including a band at the junction of the propodus and dactyl, The right cheliped, which is larger, has two tubercles on the ventral side of the merus, and the carpus is slightly longer than wide, dactyl of legs 2 and 3 not obviously twisted, and the ventrolateral margin of the propodus on left leg 3 has a row of spines. Color of legs is white, gray, pale greenish brown, or bluish with red bands and red spines. Carapace up to 2.5 cm long.

How to Distinguish from Similar Species: Pagurus granosimanus has no spines or tubercles on the ventrolateral margin of the propodus of left leg 3, and the legs are olive-green with blue dots.

Biology/Natural History: Tends to use large, heavy shells such as Nucella lamellosa into which it can withdraw completely. Sometimes found in a sponge. Predators include the rosylip sculpin Aschelichthys rhodorus.

Rocky areas, especially around large rock formations in partially protected waters.

Geographical Range: Aleutian Islands, AK to Monterey, CA. Uncommon S of Point Arena.

Depth Range: Extreme low intertidal to 360 m. Mainly subtidal in California.