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 Edit this 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

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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

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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]

Behavior

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Calcinus 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

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  1. ^ "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
  2. ^ 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
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ 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
  5. ^ "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
  6. ^ a b "Calcinus argus" on the Encyclopedia of Life (EOL) https://obis.org/taxon/367432