Anapagurus chiroacanthus

, Anapagurus chiroacanthus

Afghanistan, Alaska, Algeria, Andaman and Nicobar, Angola, Antarctica, Antigua and Barbuda, Arctic, Argentina, Ascension Island, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Azores Islands, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Canary Islands, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Cocos Islands, Comoros, Congo, Cook Islands, Corsica Island, Crete Island, Croatia, Curaçao, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, El Salvador, England, Equatorial Guinea, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, French Polynesia, Gabon, Galapagos Islands, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Hawaii, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Macedonia, Madagascar, Madeira Islands, Malawi, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norfolk Island, North Korea, Northern Ireland, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Reunion Island, Romania, Russia, Saint Martin, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sardinia Island, Scotland, Senegal, Serbia, Sicily Island, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Georgia And The South Sandwich Islands, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Turks and Caicos Islands, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States Minor Outlying Islands, Uruguay, US Minor Islands, USA, Uzbekistan, Vatican City, Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, Wales, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Amvrakikos Gulf, Andaman Sea, Arabian Sea, Aral Sea, Arctic Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Baltic Sea, Barents Sea, Bay of Bengal, Bay of Biscay, Beaufort Sea, Bering Sea, Black Sea, Bohai Sea, Cantabrian Sea, Celtic Sea, Chukchi Sea, Coral Sea, Dead Sea, English Channel, German Bight, Great Barrier Reef, Greenland Sea, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Fonseca, Gulf of Maine, Gulf of Mexico, Gulf of Saint Lawrence, Halmahera Sea, Iberian Sea, Indian Ocean, Java Sea, Korinthiakos Gulf, Labrador Sea, Levantine Sea, Lingayan Gulf, Mediterranean Sea, Moro Gulf, Okhotsk Sea, Pacific Ocean, Pagassitikos Gulf, Salish Sea, Saronikos Gulf, Scotia Sea, Sea of Azov, Sea of Marmara, Siberian Sea, South China Sea, Southern Ocean, Thermaikos Gulf

Anapagurus chiroacanthus is a species of hermit crab belonging to the family Paguridae. These crabs are known for their unique adaptation of using empty gastropod shells for protection and shelter.

Description & Characteristics

Anapagurus chiroacanthus is characterized by its relatively small size, typically reaching a maximum carapace length of around 15 millimeters. The species exhibits a distinctive morphology, showcasing a flattened and elongated carapace with a distinct rostrum. Its body is predominantly covered in a dense array of short, stiff setae. The chelipeds, or claws, are also notable for their prominent spines, adding to the crab’s overall spiny appearance.

Habitat and Occurrence

Anapagurus chiroacanthus is primarily found in the benthic zone of the North Atlantic Ocean. This species exhibits a preference for inhabiting a variety of substrates, including sandy bottoms, rocky reefs, and seaweed forests. The distribution of Anapagurus chiroacanthus extends from the intertidal zone to depths of around 200 meters. This range encompasses various marine zones, including the neritic and bathyal zones, highlighting the adaptability of this species to diverse environments.

Taxonomy

Anapagurus chiroacanthus belongs to the Class Malacostraca, which comprises a vast group of crustaceans with segmented bodies. Within this class, the species is further classified under the Order Decapoda, a group characterized by their ten walking legs. This order encompasses a diverse array of crustaceans, including crabs, lobsters, and shrimps. Lastly, Anapagurus chiroacanthus is a member of the Family Paguridae, which comprises the hermit crabs, all of which share the common characteristic of using empty gastropod shells for shelter.

Feeding

Like many other hermit crabs, Anapagurus chiroacanthus is an omnivore, feeding on a variety of organic matter. This diet includes algae, detritus, and small invertebrates. The species utilizes its chelipeds to grasp and manipulate food, efficiently extracting nutrients from its surroundings.

Associated Species

Image References

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