Clibanarius digueti
Encyclopedia
Clibanarius digueti is a species
of hermit crab
that lives off the western coast
of Mexico
, and is abundant in the Gulf of California
. It is known under various common name
s such as the Mexican hermit crab, the blue-eyed spotted hermit or the Gulf of California hermit crab.
, green algae
, dead organic matter and shed exoskeletons. It has been known to attack snails or even other hermit crabs in order to steal their shells. It forms clusters of up to 700 individuals in low tide.
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of hermit crab
Hermit crab
Hermit crabs are decapod crustaceans of the superfamily Paguroidea. Most of the 1100 species possess an asymmetrical abdomen which is concealed in an empty gastropod shell that is carried around by the hermit crab.-Description:...
that lives off the western coast
Coast
A coastline or seashore is the area where land meets the sea or ocean. A precise line that can be called a coastline cannot be determined due to the dynamic nature of tides. The term "coastal zone" can be used instead, which is a spatial zone where interaction of the sea and land processes occurs...
of Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, and is abundant in the Gulf of California
Gulf of California
The Gulf of California is a body of water that separates the Baja California Peninsula from the Mexican mainland...
. It is known under various common name
Common name
A common name of a taxon or organism is a name in general use within a community; it is often contrasted with the scientific name for the same organism...
s such as the Mexican hermit crab, the blue-eyed spotted hermit or the Gulf of California hermit crab.
Description
Both males and females of this species reach a length of approximately 2 centimetre (0.78740157480315 in).Behaviour
This species of hermit crab feeds on detritusDetritus
Detritus is a biological term used to describe dead or waste organic material.Detritus may also refer to:* Detritus , a geological term used to describe the particles of rock produced by weathering...
, green algae
Green algae
The green algae are the large group of algae from which the embryophytes emerged. As such, they form a paraphyletic group, although the group including both green algae and embryophytes is monophyletic...
, dead organic matter and shed exoskeletons. It has been known to attack snails or even other hermit crabs in order to steal their shells. It forms clusters of up to 700 individuals in low tide.