Pagurus longicarpus
Named for its notably elongated right claw, this small hermit crab moves through the Seagrass Meadow and Marine Shore scavenging algae and organic matter; four individuals collected from Tampa Bay in June 2026 are the first confirmed Long-claw Hermit Crabs in miniBIOTA.
Four Long-claw Hermit Crabs (Pagurus longicarpus) were collected from the Tampa Bay coast and introduced to miniBIOTA's Marine Shore and Seagrass Meadow on June 12, 2026. These are the first confirmed true Pagurus longicarpus in miniBIOTA. Previous miniBIOTA records using the name "Long-armed Hermit Crab" under this species ID were misidentified; those individuals were Pagurus maclaughlinae (McLaughlin's Hermit Crab). See the Historical Identity Correction section below.
Name note: longicarpus is Latin for "long wrist" or "long arm," referring to the species' notably elongated right cheliped, which is used to block the shell entrance when the crab retracts defensively. The right cheliped dominates in Paguridae (right-handed hermit crabs), distinguishing this family from Diogenidae (left-handed), which includes the Hairy Hermit Crab also now present in miniBIOTA.
Pagurus longicarpus is one of the most abundant and widespread small hermit crabs in the western Atlantic, ranging from Nova Scotia south to Colombia. It is common throughout Florida's coastal waters on both the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, found in shallow marine and estuarine habitats from rocky intertidal zones to sandy and muddy subtidal bottoms. In Florida, it is frequently encountered in seagrass beds, tidal flats, and shallow bays and is often the most numerically dominant hermit crab in nearshore marine habitats.
Long-claw Hermit Crabs occupy shallow coastal marine and estuarine habitats. They are found on sandy and muddy substrate, in seagrass beds, on rocky and shell-covered bottoms, and in debris zones of tidal flats. They tolerate a broad range of salinity and temperature conditions consistent with their wide range. In miniBIOTA, the four introduced individuals are associated with the Marine Shore and Seagrass Meadow.
Pagurus longicarpus is an omnivorous scavenger. It feeds on algae, biofilm, detritus, carrion, small invertebrates, and organic particles scraped or gathered from substrate surfaces. The elongated right cheliped is not a feeding tool; it functions as a defensive plug for the shell entrance.
Like all Paguridae, P. longicarpus carries an empty gastropod shell for protection of its soft abdomen. As the crab grows it must acquire progressively larger shells. Shell acquisition can involve competition with other hermit crabs, including chasing, grappling, and attempting to evict the occupant. The empty shells introduced to miniBIOTA on June 12, 2026 alongside the hermit crabs were intended to support the expanded hermit crab population.
Females brood fertilized eggs attached to the pleopods on the soft abdomen, held within the gastropod shell until hatching. Larvae pass through zoea and megalopa stages before settling and acquiring a first shell. No reproductive observations have been made in miniBIOTA.
Pagurus longicarpus is broadly tolerant, adapted to conditions ranging from cold-temperate New England to tropical Caribbean waters. It tolerates considerable salinity variation and temperature swings. No miniBIOTA-specific tolerance measurements are on record.
Long-claw Hermit Crab functions as a saltwater scavenger and algae grazer in the Marine Shore and Seagrass Meadow. By consuming algae, biofilm, detritus, and organic particles, it contributes to substrate cleaning and nutrient cycling. As a Paguridae (right-handed) species, it occupies the same family as McLaughlin's Hermit Crab and may compete with it for shell resources.
The four individuals join a marine hermit crab community that now includes Hairy Hermit Crabs (Diogenidae), McLaughlin's Hermit Crabs (Paguridae), and Orangeclaw Hermit Crab (Diogenidae). Shell competition and community dynamics among these four hermit crab species and families are an open watch item.
Four Long-claw Hermit Crabs were collected from the Tampa Bay coast and introduced to miniBIOTA on June 12, 2026. This is the founding record for the species at this ID. All prior records attributed to this ID (species id 38) have been reclassified to McLaughlin's Hermit Crab.
Four individuals introduced June 12, 2026 from Tampa Bay coast. All four confirmed present and actively grazing in the Seagrass Meadow on June 18, 2026. On June 25, 2026, all four are no longer observed. Numerous empty shells found at the Mud Crab burrow entrance; mud crab predation is strongly suspected. Mud crab removal campaign completed June 25, 2026: 5 individuals removed from the marine realm. No Long-claw Hermit Crab individuals confirmed alive. Predation not directly confirmed. Prior records under this ID route to McLaughlin's Hermit Crab.
Omnivorous scavenger; feeds on algae, biofilm, detritus, and small organic particles on the Seagrass Meadow substrate. The elongated right cheliped is used defensively to block the shell entrance, not for prey capture. No miniBIOTA-specific feeding observations on record.
Broadly tolerant species adapted to the wide range of conditions across its geographic range from cold-temperate to subtropical and tropical coastal waters. Tolerates variable salinity and temperature. No miniBIOTA-specific tolerance measurements on record.
No reproductive observations are on record for this species in miniBIOTA. Sex determination requires examination of pleopods concealed within the shell. No breeding has been observed.
Grazes algae and scavenges detritus in the Seagrass Meadow and Marine Shore, contributing to substrate nutrient cycling. Shell competition with McLaughlin's Hermit Crab is plausible given shared family (Paguridae) and habitat; no shell competition has been documented for the four individuals introduced June 12, 2026.
Follow this species across the habitats where it currently appears in the miniBIOTA biosphere.
