mangrove hermit crab (diogenes sp.)

CONTENTS

Fauna index

Crustacea

Peter K L Ng and N Sivasothi (editors)

Mangrove hermit crab
Diogenes sp.
Family Diogenidae

Size: up to 2 cm

There are several species of hermit crabs in and around the mangroves and are easily spotted by looking for fast-moving snail shells that rock back and forth instead of gliding smoothly over the mud!

Diogenes is common and occurs in the more open and uncovered areas of the mangroves, often nearer the seafront at the edge of sandy areas. Like most hermit crabs, they are scavengers, with a good sense of smell.

The face of Diogenes,
as it emerges from its host-shell

Exposed body of Diogenes
showing the soft abdomen

Another common mangrove genus, Clibanarius, is easily identified by its blue-striped legs.

Unlike typical crabs, the posterior part of hermit crab bodies is soft and as such, they use discarded shells for protection. As they grow larger, the crabs look for and move into larger shells.

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What is mangrove?
Introduction

The Ecosystem
Abiotic
Biotic

Value
Intro
Products
Indirect uses
Potential uses

About Mangroves
in Singapore
History
Mangroves to visit
Conservation

From "A Guide to Mangroves of Singapore", Peter K. L. Ng and N. Sivasothi (editors)
Volume 1: The Ecosystem and Plant Diversity and Volume 2: Animal Diversity
Authors: Kelvin K. P. Lim, Dennis H. Murphy, T. Morgany, N. Sivasothi, Peter K. L. Ng,
B. C. Soong, Hugh T. W. Tan, K. S. Tan & T. K. Tan
BP Guide to Nature Series published by the Singapore Science Centre, sponsored by British Petroleum
© 2001 Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, The National University of Singapore & The Singapore Science Centre