Paguridae

Family: Paguridae

Group: Marine Invertebrate, Species

Scientific Name	Common Name	Summary
Discorsopagurus schmitti	Tube-worm hermit crab	This species is most often seen inhabiting attached calcareous tubes of serpulid polychaetes. Females are nearly always in attached tubes, while males are sometimes seen in broken pieces and are therefore mobile. The color and habitat are distinct. The only species these could be confused with is the Toothshell hermit (Orthopagurus minimus). D. schmitti is distinguished by having the right claw just a little longer than the left (although it is significantly more robust). Look for these in the low intertidal and shallow subtidal in rocky areas.
Elassochirus cavimanus	Purple hermit crab	The purple hermit is a subtidal species most often seen in crab or shrimp traps. The purple and yellow claws and red legs with white polka dots are unmistakable. Preserved (bleached out) specimens look similar to preserved specimens of the Orange hermit (Elassochirus gilli). E. cavimanus has a longitudinal row row of small blunt spines on the carpus (next segment after the "hand") while E. gilli does not.
Elassochirus gilli	Orange hermit	This striking hermit crab is sometimes common in the low intertidal zone. The nearly uniform light orange to almost red color makes this hermit immediately recognizable. Like all members of the genus Elassochirus (called the "widehand hermits"), E. gilli has expanded margins on the carpus of its right claw. Preserved specimens could be mistaken for the Purple hermit crab (Elassochirus cavimanus). Look at the carpus of the right claw, on the purple hermit there is a row of small blunt spines while on the orange hermit it is smooth.
Elassochirus tenuimanus	Widehand hermit crab	The widehand hermit is often very common in the low intertidal and subtidal and is found in a variety of habitats. The very wide, expanded margins of the carpus of propodus of the right claw distinguish this species from hermits of the genus Pagurus which are somewhat similar. Like other members of the genus Elassochirus, the widehand hermit uses its right claw as an "operculum" to block the entrance of the snail shell when has withdrawn inside.
Labidochirus splendescens	Splendid hermit	This unusual hermit crab is restricted to the subtidal zone. Of all of Alaska's hermits, this one is the most "carcinized" (crab-like) with a greatly reduced abdomen and heavily calcified carapace. The small shell this species uses to protect its abdomen is almost always covered by hydroids which dissolve the original shell and become a living shell that grows with the hermit.
Orthopagurus minimus	Toothshell hermit	This species is a reasonably common but easily overlooked species in the subtidal of Sitka Sound. Samples collected in 2006-2007 north of Japonski Island represented the first and only collections of this species in Alaska, although it is almost certainly much more widespread. This species is easily confused with mobile specimens of Tube-worm hermit crab (Discorsopagurus schmitti) as both species are the only Alaskan hermits with symmetrical uropods and a straight abdomen. O. minimus can be distinguished by the fact that its right claw is twice as long as the left, as well as being much more robust. Also, the right claw of this species is rounded and flat for use as an 'operculum' (trap door) when in its toothshell home.
Pagurus aleuticus	Aleutian hermit crab	The Aleutian hermit is a typically subtidal species often recovered from crab and shrimp pots. This species, along with the Widehand hermit crab (Elassochirus tenuimanus), the Blackeyed hermit crab (Pagurus armatus), and the Alaskan hermit crab (Pagurus ochotensis) are the largest hermit crabs found in Alaska and commonly inhabiting the largest snail shells such as Neptunea spp. The Aleutian hermit can be distinguished from these other species by the following combination of features: uniform red-brown to dull orange coloration on the claws, yellow green corneas on the eyes, and a single longitudinal groove on the walking legs.
Pagurus armatus	Blackeyed hermit crab	This species is a very large species that is often found in large gastropod shells such as Oregon triton (Fusitriton oregonensis) and Neptunea. It is easily distinguished from other large hermits such as the Aleutian hermit crab (Pagurus aleuticus) and the Alaskan hermit crab (Pagurus ochotensis) by the black rather than yellow-green corneas of the eyes. Jensen (1995) reports that the blackeyed hermit is common in beds of the sea pen Ptilosarcus gurneyi. Like Aleutian hermit crab (Pagurus aleuticus) and Alaskan hermit crab (Pagurus ochotensis), this species belongs to a group of hermits characterized by twisted dactyls with one or two deep grooves on their legs.
Pagurus beringanus	Bering hermit crab	This species is a common inhabitant of the low intertidal and subtidal communities. Often found in large aggregations under rocks, this hermit prefers to inhabit large, heavy shells that seem nearly impossible for it to carry. The blue and red, often brilliant, banding on the legs is a distinctive feature. Very young specimens may resemble the Greenmark hermit crab (Pagurus caurinus) but can be distinguished by the legs lacking distinct white bands near joints and merus ("forearm") of right claw with two rather than a single large tubercle on the underside. The hairy hermit crab (Pagurus hirsutiusculus) may have blue bands on the legs but always has light and dark banded antennae rather than the solid orange or red seen in the Bering hermit crab.
Pagurus capillatus	Fuzzy hermit crab	The fuzzy hermit crab closely resembles three other Alaskan species of hermit, Quayle's hermit crab (Pagurus quaylei), Bluespine hermit crab (Pagurus kennerleyi), and especially Setose hermit crab (Pagurus setosus). These all are characterized by sharp spines and abundant long blond to brown hairs covering claws and legs. Distinguishing these is very difficult and can be frustrating to even specialists. The following key to these four species is provided: 1a) Antennae banded with light and dark bands go to 2 1b) Antennae solid colored go to 3 2a) Spines on claws light blue or white tipped. Larger species, often 1 cm carapace length or larger Bluespine hermit crab (Pagurus kennerleyi) 2b) Spines on claws same color as background color of claws. Very small species usually 5 mm or less in carapace length Quayle's hermit crab (Pagurus quaylei) 3a) Hairs on legs and claws ostrich-plume like and sometimes obscuring spines on claws. Carpus (third article) of right and left first legs with a toothed dorsal margin, may be obscured by hairs Fuzzy hermit crab (Pagurus capillatus) 3b) Hairs on legs and claws simple and spines on claws usually visible. Carpus (third article) of right first leg toothed on dorsal margin, carpus of left smooth. Setose hermit crab (Pagurus setosus)
Pagurus caurinus	Greenmark hermit crab	The greenmark hermit crab is a very common but easily overlooked species in the lowest intertdal and subtidal zones. A very small species, the carapace is usually 6 mm or less in length when adult. The orange or red solid colored antennae and white bands on the legs are distinct. Very small specimens of the Bering hermit crab (Pagurus beringanus) look similar to this species, but these have two large tubercles on the underside of the merus of the right claw rather that the single one seen in the greenmark hermit crab.
Pagurus confragosus	Knobby-hand hermit crab	The knobby-hand hermit crab is an exclusively subtidal species usually found below 50 meters depth. These are most often seen in southeast Alaska in Tanner crab and shrimp pots. The raised ridge on the right claw terminates in a rounded knobby apex near the base of the fingers of the claw rather than being pointed as seen in Horny-hand hermit crab (Pagurus cornutus).
Pagurus cornutus	Horny-hand hermit crab	This species, along with Knobby-hand hermit crab (Pagurus confragosus) and Long-hand hermit (Pagurus tanneri) form a group of closely related species that have a raised spiny ridge on the left claw and a heavy elevated triangular ridge on the right claw. These hermit crabs are always subtidal and sometimes deep subtidal. Unlike the other species the ridge on the right claw of P. cornutus has a somewhat pointed apex.
Pagurus dalli	Whiteknee hermit crab	Similar to Stevens' hermit crab (Pagurus stevensae) in have a raised longitudinal ridge on the palm of the left claw (but a normal right claw), the whiteknee hermit crab has distinct white bands on the joints of the legs. The merus of the right claw is about 1.5 times as long as wide. This species is usually subtidal.
Pagurus granosimanus	Grainy-hand hermit crab	This common hermit crab can be identified by the light blue bumps on the legs and claws, and the generally olive-green color.
Pagurus hartae	Brilliant hermit crab	This small hermit crab (less than 5 mm carapace length) is immediately recognizable by its red color and bright violet patches on the carpus and merus of the claws and legs. Easily overlooked, species may be very common in the low intertidal zone under rocks.
Pagurus hemphilli	Maroon hermit	This hermit crab is identified by its reddish color and ringed eyes, which are called "crazy eyes" in Lamb & Handy 2005.
Pagurus hirsutiusculus	hairy hermit crab	This species is our most common intertidal hermit crab. It is quickly identified by its white knees and general dark, hairy appearance, its habit of using a rather small shell (which is part of the first stage of de-specialization from the hermit crab form to the king crab form), and its mid-intertidal, calm-water habitat.
Pagurus kennerlyi	Bluespine hermit crab	The bluespine hermit crab is a common low intertidal and subtidal species. Unlike other local species with sharp spines and abundant brown hairs, the spines of this species are light blue or white colored in contrast to the brown background of the claws. The banded antennae and medium to large size are distinguishing features. A key to this species and three other similar species can be found under the entry for the Fuzzy hermit crab (Pagurus capillatus).
Pagurus ochotensis	Alaskan hermit crab	The Alaskan hermit crab is probably the most often encountered of our "giant" hermits. These are most often subtidal but occasionally juveniles or even adults are encountered in the low intertidal. This species is immediately recognizable from our other large hermits such as Aleutian hermit crab (Pagurus aleuticus) and the Blackeyed hermit crab (Pagurus armatus) by having yellow-green corneas on its eyes AND claws with an iridescent sheen and a distinct dark red line running down the fixed finger of the right claw.
Pagurus quaylei	Quayle's hermit crab	Quayle's hermit crab is the smallest of a group of four closely related and similar species characterized by sharp spines on the claws and long, abundant hairs. Quayle's hermit is usually 5 mm or smaller in carapace width and has distinct banded antennae. The left claw of this hermit has the fingers bowed outwards so that when closed only the tips touch. The eyescales of P. quaylei have several pointed tips, while juveniles of similar species have only one tip. A key to this species and related forms can be found under the entry for the Fuzzy hermit crab (Pagurus capillatus).
Pagurus setosus	Setose hermit crab	The setose hermit crab is a common subtidal (rarely low intertidal) species that belongs to a group of four hermits that can be very difficult to tell apart, even for specialists. The setose hermit crab has unbanded antennae and tends to be less hairy and the hairs are not plumose as in Fuzzy hermit crab (Pagurus capillatus). A key to these four species is provided under the entry for the Fuzzy hermit crab (Pagurus capillatus).
Pagurus stevensae	Stevens' hermit crab	This species is a very common subtidal species. The uniform red orange to pink color of the claws and small size (under 1 cm carapace length) is distinct. The legs are somewhat mottled with white irregular spots. P. stevensae belongs to a group of hermits with a raised longitudinal row of spines running down the palm and onto the fixed finger of the left claw only (right claw is normal). The only other member of this group found in southeastern Alaska is the closely related Whiteknee hermit crab (Pagurus dalli). The merus of the right claw of Stevens' hermit crab is about twice as long as wide, and lacks the white bands on the legs as seen in Whiteknee hermit crab (Pagurus dalli).
Pagurus tanneri	Long-hand hermit	The long-hand hermit is a deep-water species, typically found below 100 meters. I have found this species to rare in southeast Alaska, but this could be due to scarcity of collections at depth. Similar to Horny-hand hermit crab (Pagurus cornutus) and Knobby-hand hermit crab (Pagurus confragosus) in having a raised ridge on both the right and left claw, the ridge on the right hand of the long-hand hermit crab does not have its raised apex strongly pointing forward.