Calcinus argus, also known as the Argus hermit crab, is a species of hermit crabs in the family Calcinidae described by David Wooster in 1984.[1] Originating from the Indo-West Pacific near Hawaii.[2]
| Calcinus argus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| 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
editCalcinus 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
editCalcinus 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]
Behavior
editCalcinus argus will protect its soft abdomen with a variety of shells, and when disturbed they will retreat into their shells, and fall into the middles of coral reef.[4]
References
edit- ^ "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Calcinus argus Wooster, 1984". www.marinespecies.org. Retrieved 2024-02-05. https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=367432
- ^ a b "Integrated Taxonomic Information System". Report Calcinus Argus Wooster 1984. https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=660155#null
- ^ a b c Hoover, John P. (1998). Hawai'i's sea creatures: a guide to Hawai'i's marine invertebrates. Honolulu, Hawaii: Mutual Pub. ISBN 978-1-56647-220-3.
- ^ a b c d e f "The Genus Calcinus (Paguridea: Diogenidae) from the Mariana Islands, Including Three New Species" by D.S. Wooster https://micronesica.org/sites/default/files/the_genus_calcinus_paguridea_diogenidae_from_the_mariana_islands_including_3_new_species_by_wooster_d.s._-_micronesica_vol._18_no._2_dec_1982o.pdf
- ^ "New Decapod Records from the Hawaiian Islands (Crustacea, Decapoda)". Retrieved 5 February 2024.https://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/edcaa131-4ad7-4547-904a-87ef111a4142/content
- ^ a b "Calcinus argus" on the Encyclopedia of Life (EOL) https://obis.org/taxon/367432