Heterozius rotundifrons, or big hand crab, is a species of crab of the family Belliidae, endemic to New Zealand. The carapace width is up to 25 millimetres (1 in).
| Heterozius | |
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| Preserved specimen of Heterozius rotundifrons | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Malacostraca |
| Order: | Decapoda |
| Suborder: | Pleocyemata |
| Infraorder: | Brachyura |
| Family: | Belliidae |
| Subfamily: | Heteroziinae Števčić, 2005 |
| Genus: | Heterozius A. Milne-Edwards, 1867 |
| Species: | H. rotundifrons
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| Binomial name | |
| Heterozius rotundifrons A. Milne-Edwards, 1867
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Behavior edit
When threatened, Heterozius rotundifrons has a unique antipredator behavior where it fully extends all its limbs including its chelipeds and becomes immobile. The crab keeps defensive stance for up to a few minutes.
References edit
- Miller M & Batt G, Reef and Beach Life of New Zealand, William Collins (New Zealand) Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1973
- Bach, Catherine; Hazlett, Brian (2010). "Individuality in the predator defense behaviour of the crab Heterozius rotundifrons". Behaviour. 147 (5–6): 587–597. doi:10.1163/000579510x12629536366329. ISSN 0005-7959.
- Hazlett, Brian A.; Mclay, Colin (2005-04). "Responses to predation risk: alternative strategies in the crab Heterozius rotundifrons". Animal Behaviour. 69 (4): 967–972. doi:10.1016/j.anbehav.2004.06.028. ISSN 0003-3472.
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