RELATIVES

Pagurus hirsutiusculus is a member of the phylum Arthropodac (meaning “jointed legs), which links it to such terrestrial organisms as spiders and insects. Its subphylum, Crustacea, and order, Decapoda, link it even more closely with shrimp, amphipods, lobsters and crabs. These creatures have many things in common  including exoskeletons—which brings us to our next topic…

Another kind of hermit crab 

Photo from Gotshall, D.W. 1994.

Guide to Marine Invertebrates Alaska to Baja California.  Sea Challengers, Monterey, CA