Heterozius

Heterozius rotundifrons, or big hand crab, is a species of crab of the family Belliidae, endemic to New Zealand. The carapace width is up to 25 millimetres (1 in).

Heterozius
Preserved specimen of Heterozius rotundifrons
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Clade:	Pancrustacea
Class:	Malacostraca
Order:	Decapoda
Suborder:	Pleocyemata
Infraorder:	Brachyura
Family:	Belliidae
Subfamily:	Heteroziinae Števčić, 2005
Genus:	Heterozius A. Milne-Edwards, 1867
Species:	H. rotundifrons
Binomial name
Heterozius rotundifrons A. Milne-Edwards, 1867

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 (1973). Reef and Beach Life of New Zealand. Auckland, New Zealand: William Collins (New Zealand) Ltd.
• 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 0005-7959.
• Hazlett, Brian A.; Colin, Mclay (2005). "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 0003-3472.