A New Hermit Crab of the Genus Discorsopagurus (Crustacea : Anomura : Paguridae) from Japan

Abstract

Discorsopagurus cavicola, the third species of the genus, is described and illustrated on the basis of specimens from Mutsu Bay and Hakodate Bay, northern Japan. It strongly resembles D. schmitti (Stevens) from the west coast of North America, but shows differences in structure of the fifth abdominal tergite, development of the uropodal exopod and relative length of the ocular peduncle. This new species inhabits boreholes made by the rock-boring clam, Barnea manilensis inornata (Bivalvia : Pholadidae) or an uncertain host.