Heterozius | |
---|---|
Preserved specimen of Heterozius rotundifrons | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
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
|
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).
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.