Aniculus hopperae, also known as reticulated Hawaiian hermit, is a species of hermit crab in the family Diogenidae from the Pacific Ocean.[2][3] The specific name hopperae honors Carol N. Hopper from Waikīkī Aquarium.[1]

Aniculus hopperae
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Malacostraca
Order: Decapoda
Suborder: Pleocyemata
Infraorder: Anomura
Family: Diogenidae
Genus: Aniculus
Species:
A. hopperae
Binomial name
Aniculus hopperae
McLaughlin & Hoover, 1996[1]

Description

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This species stands out from its congeners in appearance. Aniculus hopperae features a bright red base coloration with black "bracelets" on the scissor arms, unlike the similar Aniculus simbogae, which lacks this pattern. Typically medium-sized, the holotype specimen from Oahu, Hawaii, measures 6.3 mm (0.25 in) in shield length and was collected at a depth of 8 m (26 ft). The hermit crab's arms are red with black spots, its eyestalks have a bright orange hue, and it displays a web-like white pattern. These distinct markings help in identifying the species.[1]

Distribution and habitat

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Aniculus hopperae is known from a number of localities in the Pacific: Hawaii (type locality: Oahu[1]), Line Islands, Marquesas Islands, and Clipperton Island.[4] Aniculus hopperae predominantly inhabits rocky coastlines, where it seeks shelter under small outcroppings and within caves.[1] In Hawaii, it thrives at depths of up to 23 m (75 ft).[1]

Reference

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  1. ^ a b c d e f McLaughlin, P.A.; Hoover, J.P. (1996). "A new species of Aniculus Dana (Decapoda: Anomura: Diogenidae) from Hawaii" (PDF). Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington. 109 (2): 299–305.
  2. ^ "Aniculus hopperae McLaughlin & Hoover, 1996". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 2024-02-05.
  3. ^ Palomares ML, Pauly D, eds. (2022). "Aniculus hopperae" in SeaLifeBase. December 2022 version.
  4. ^ Salvat, Bernard; et al. (2016). "Invertébrés benthiques des Marquises" (PDF). In René Galzin; Jean-Yves Meyer; Sophie-Dorothée Duron (eds.). Biodiversité terrestre et marine des îles Marquises, Polynésie française (PDF). Paris: Société Française d'Ichtyologie. pp. 221–258.

Further reading

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  • "Hawaii's Sea Creatures." A Guide to Hawaii's Marine Invertebrates, John P. Hoover
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