''Heterozius rotundifrons'', or big hand crab, is a
species
In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...
of
crab
Crabs are decapod crustaceans of the infraorder Brachyura, which typically have a very short projecting "tail" (abdomen) ( el, βραχύς , translit=brachys = short, / = tail), usually hidden entirely under the thorax. They live in all the ...
of the
family
Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...
Belliidae,
endemic
Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found elsew ...
to
New Zealand
New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island count ...
. The
carapace
A carapace is a Dorsum (biology), dorsal (upper) section of the exoskeleton or shell in a number of animal groups, including arthropods, such as crustaceans and arachnids, as well as vertebrates, such as turtles and tortoises. In turtles and tor ...
width is up to .
Behavior
When threatened, Heterozius rotundifrons has a unique antipredator behavior where it fully extends all its limbs including its chelipeds and becomes immobile. The crab keeps defensive stance for up to a few minutes.
References
* Miller M & Batt G, ''Reef and Beach Life of New Zealand'',
William Collins (New Zealand) Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1973
*Bach, Catherine; Hazlett, Brian (2010). "Individuality in the predator defense behaviour of the crab Heterozius rotundifrons". ''Behaviour''. 147 (5–6): 587–597.
doi:10.1163/000579510x12629536366329.
ISSN
An International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) is an eight-digit serial number used to uniquely identify a serial publication, such as a magazine. The ISSN is especially helpful in distinguishing between serials with the same title. ISSNs ...
0005-7959.
*Hazlett, Brian A.; Mclay, Colin (2005-04). "Responses to predation risk: alternative strategies in the crab Heterozius rotundifrons". ''Animal Behaviour''. 69 (4): 967–972.
doi:10.1016/j.anbehav.2004.06.028.
ISSN
An International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) is an eight-digit serial number used to uniquely identify a serial publication, such as a magazine. The ISSN is especially helpful in distinguishing between serials with the same title. ISSNs ...
0003-3472.
Crabs
Marine crustaceans of New Zealand
Monotypic arthropod genera
{{crab-stub