New Species of Hermit Crab Discovered in Australia

Marine biologists at Queensland Museum Kurilpa have described a new species of hermit crab, Strigopagurus fragarchela (common name is the strawberry-clawed hermit), from the continental shelf off south‑east Queensland, Australia.

“The central Indo-West Pacific diogenid genus Strigopagurus currently contains five species: Strigopagurus strigimanus, Strigopagurus bilineatus, Strigopagurus boreonotus, Strigopagurus elongatus, and Strigopagurus poupini,” said Queensland Museum Kurilpa researchers Peter Davie and Marissa McNamara.

“Two of these, Strigopagurus strigimanus and Strigopagurus elongatus, are endemic to temperate southern Australia, while Strigopagurus bilineatus is currently only known from off tropical Queensland.”

“The remaining two species have not been recorded in Australian waters.”

“The known distribution of Strigopagurus poupini is limited to French Polynesia, but the more widespread Strigopagurus boreonotus could potentially occur in tropical Australian waters, as it has been recorded from the surrounding seas of southeastern Indonesia, the eastern Coral Sea, and New Caledonia.”

“Recent trawl surveys of shelf waters off SE Queensland have brought to light numerous large, strikingly colored Strigopagurus specimens that represent a further new Australian endemic species.”

The new species, Strigopagurus fragarchela, can be found in relatively deep water (120-260 m) off south-eastern Queensland.

“The new species has several highly distinctive features,” Dr. McNamara said.

“Most striking is its bright red claws, but it also has evolved its own unique method of producing underwater sound (stridulation), much like cicadas do in the air.”

“We knew straight away this was a special hermit crab, and quickly gave it the nickname strawberry claws.”

“The identification of Strigopagurus fragarchela is an exciting addition to the genus, for which Australia appears to be the stronghold.”

“We now have four endemic species, two of which are only found in Queensland.”

“The new hermit crab has only been collected by trawler catches, so little is yet known of its ecology, but they are without doubt important members of the rich biological communities of the continental shelf off southeastern Queensland.”

“The work of the scientists and researchers at Queensland Museum helps in providing a record of our state’s biodiversity for future generations,” said Queensland Museum CEO Dr. Jim Thompson.

“Our natural history collections are more than just preserved specimens — they are vital tools for scientific discovery, conservation and public education.”

The discovery is described in a paper in the Memoirs of Queensland Museum – Nature.

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P.J.F. Davie & M.K.A. McNamara. 2024. A new species of hermit crab in the genus Strigopagurus Forest, 1995 (Crustacea: Anomura: Diogenidae) from the continental shelf off south-east Queensland, Australia. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum – Nature 65: 110-123; doi: 10.17082/j.2204-1478.65.2024.2024-04