Petrochirus diogenes
Petrochirus diogenes is a giant marine hermit crab. This species lives in the Caribbean Sea, and often inhabits conch shells.[1] This species of hermit crab is large enough that it can inhabit a fully grown shell of Lobatus gigas. It will attack and eat a conch, thus obtaining a meal and a shell.[2] It was originally described by Carl Linnaeus as Cancer diogenes;[3] the specific epithet honours Diogenes of Sinope.[4]
Petrochirus diogenes in a subadult shell of Eustrombus gigas
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| Genus: | Petrochirus |
| Species: | P. diogenes |
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| Petrochirus diogenes | |
References
- "Petrochirus diogenes". Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
- E. S. Iversen, D. E. Jory & S. P. Bannerot (1986). "Predation on queen conchs, Strombus gigas, in the Bahamas". Bulletin of Marine Science. 39 (1): 61–75.
- P. Davie & M. Türkay (2010). "Cancer Linnaeus, 1758". World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
- Mark Isaak (September 8, 2010). "Etymology: Named after People". Curiosities of Biological Nomenclature. Retrieved September 8, 2010.
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