Image©Morphological and molecular evidence for the identity of two land hermit crabs
Other speices
- Birgus latro
- Coenobita brevimanus
- Coenobita carnescens
- Coenobita cavipes
- Coenobita celebensis
- Coenobita clypeatus
- Coenobita compressus
- Coenobita granularis
- Coenobita lila
- Coenobita longitarsis
- Coenobita moluccensis
- Coenobita olivieri
- Coenobita patsyae
- Coenobita perlatus
- Coenobita pseudorugosus
- Coenobita purpureus
- Coenobita rubescens
- Coenobita rugosus
- Coenobita scaevola
- Coenobita spinosus
- Coenobita variabilis
- Coenobita violascens
- New species related to Coenobita violascens
- New species related to Coenobita rugosus
Available Information
- WoRMS
- Dr. J. G. de. Man., 1902. Die von Herrn Professor Kükenthal im Indischen Archipel gesammelten Dekapoden und Stomatopoden
- GBIF recorded some preserved specimen, but cannot see clearly the body colour
***UPDATED NEWS – 2023.10***
Morphological and Molecular Evidence for the Identity of Two Land Hermit Crabs Coenobita longitarsis De Man, 1902 and C. pseudorugosus Nakasone, 1988 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Anomura: Coenobitidae)
⇒ https://zoolstud.sinica.edu.tw/Journals/62/62-52.html
*Thank you this article credit me →Thanks for providing useful information of the two species
Remark – Coenobita longitarsis vs Coenobita cavipes
Above new paper mentioned that C. longitarsis is also similar to C. cavipes in the coloration of brownish gray, but no distinct dorsolateral margin on the left P3 propodus in C. longitarsis (Figs. 1G, 2G, 3A, C, 4A–C, 5C) (vs. dorsolateral margin delimited by row of corneous tipped tubercles in C. cavipes.
But actually it is very different to distinguish these two species from almost same appearance.
Below records seem to be Coenobita longitarsis?
⇒ Photo from iNaturalist
⇒ Photo from iNaturalist
⇒ Photo from iNaturalist
⇒ Photo from iNaturalist
⇒ Photo from iNaturalist
⇒ Photo from iNaturalist
I found there is several further different between Coenobita longitarsis and Coenobita cavipes.
- Propodus and dactylus of left 3rd walking leg of Coenobita cavpies is flat, only propodus and dactylus of right 3rd walking leg is very slim. While Coenobita longitarsis, propodus and dactylus of left and right both side 3rd walking legs are very slim.
- Left cheliped of Coenobita cavpies with fully granules. While Coenobita longitarsis, plam of left cheliped clearly without granules.
- Eye shape of Coenobita longitarsis is more round than Coenobita cavipes.
Reference articles
- Hsi-Te Shih., 2023. Morphological and Molecular Evidence for the Identity of Two Land Hermit Crabs Coenobita longitarsis De Man, 1902 and C. pseudorugosus Nakasone, 1988 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Anomura: Coenobitidae)

