Invasive-species-vulnerability

Guides

• Pagurus acadianus

  Acadian hermit crab

  Pagurus acadianus is a marine hermit crab species in the family Paguridae, first described by J.E. Benedict in 1901 from specimens in the western Atlantic. It is distinguished from the closely related Pagurus bernhardus by morphological features including larger eyestalks, shorter chelae fingers, and sharper chelipeds. The species inhabits rocky intertidal zones and exhibits seasonal population fluctuations, with peak abundance in June and reduced activity from November through March. It has been documented as the most abundant hermit crab in some Maine localities, though 95.4% of museum records represent preserved specimens rather than living observations.

  marineintertidaldetritivoreshell-dwellingwestern-Atlanticcompetitionseasonal-abundanceinvasive-species-vulnerabilityparasite-hostfungal-disease-susceptibility