Woodmason's Hermit Crab

Dardanus woodmasoni, a species of hermit crab from the Diogenidae family, was first described by Alcock in 1905. These creatures reach a size of up to 5 centimeters (approximately 2 inches). They are distinguishable by their legs which feature a pattern of grey and white bands, and their pale grey eyes.

Dardanus woodmasoni is part of the animal kingdom, specifically under the phylum Arthropoda. Belonging to the class Malacostraca and the order Decapoda, it falls within the genus Dardanus.

This species inhabits coastal areas at depths of up to 15 meters (about 49 feet), preferring sandy and muddy seabeds. It is often found in lagoons, amidst Halimeda algae, in mangrove forests, and on soft substrates among seagrasses. A notable behavior of Dardanus woodmasoni, similar to other members of its genus, is carrying sea anemones on their shells.

Although this species is sometimes referred to by the synonym Pagurus woodmasoni Alcock, 1905, it is recognized and documented on platforms like iNaturalist, where over 100 observations have been recorded. Dardanus woodmasoni is a common representative of the Diogenidae family, particularly within the Indo-Pacific region and the western 🌊 Pacific Ocean.