Diogenidae

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Crustacea
Class: Malacostraca
Superorder: Eucarida
Order: Decapoda
Infraorder: Anomura
Superfamily: Paguroidea
Family: Diogenidae

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Diogenidae: //ˌdaɪˈɒdʒəˌnɪdiː//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Clibanarius vittatus-dorsal by Peterwchen. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Clibanarius vittatus (I0905) (14990150913) by Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Clibanarius vittatus (3812736938) by Andrea Westmoreland from DeLand, United States. Used under a CC BY-SA 2.0 license.

Giant Hermit Crab (11670683275) by FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Giant Hemit Crab (11354825876) by FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Petrochirus diogenes by Mokele (talk). Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.

Summary

The family Diogenidae contains hermit crabs notable for their distinctive left-handed claw structure. With 429 extant species, they are the second-largest family of marine hermit crabs, playing a vital role in their ecosystems.

Physical Characteristics

Diogenidae are known for their distinctive left chela, or claw, which is larger than the right, a trait that distinguishes them from most other hermit crabs.

Identification Tips

Look for the asymmetrical claws, specifically the enlarged left chela, in comparison to other hermit crab families.

Habitat

Diogenidae inhabit various marine environments, often found in shallow waters near shorelines, in sand or mud substrates.

Distribution

This family comprises species that are distributed globally in marine habitats.

Diet

Most Diogenidae species are scavengers, feeding on detritus, decaying organic matter, and algae.

Life Cycle

Details on specific life cycles can vary among species but typically involve larval stages that develop in the plankton before settling into a benthic juvenile phase.

Reproduction

Diogenidae exhibit external fertilization, with females carrying eggs under their abdomen until they hatch.

Ecosystem Role

As scavengers, Diogenidae play an important role in the ecosystem by helping to recycle nutrients and clean up detritus.

Evolution

The Diogenidae are believed to have evolved a particular morphology that allows them to exploit specific habitats effectively.

Similar Taxa

Paguridae

Misconceptions

A common misconception is that all hermit crabs have a right-clawed asymmetry, whereas Diogenidae are primarily characterized by their left-clawed asymmetry.