Coenobita possess compound eyes comprised of faceted lenses which are especially adept at picking up fine movements. The eyes are located on movable stalks and this is one of the primary ways we determine the species of hermit crab we are looking at.

Reconstructed brains of Fuxianhuia protensa and land hermit crab Coenobita clypeatus showing homologies with Malacostraca. They share 3 nested neuropils in each eye stalk (arrowed 1-3), A1n (antennal nerve), A2n (second pair of nerve roots), op t (optic tract).
Reconstructed brains of Fuxianhuia protensa and land hermit crab Coenobita clypeatus showing homologies with Malacostraca. They share 3 nested neuropils in each eye stalk (arrowed 1-3), A1n (antennal nerve), A2n (second pair of nerve roots), op t (optic tract).

 

Hermit Crab Antenna Eyes Diagram by Storm Martin 2012
Hermit Crab Antenna Eyes Diagram by Storm Martin 2012

 

Coenobita eyes Credit – Sean Carroll
Coenobita eyes
Coenobita eyes
Coenobita eyes damaged
Coenobita eyes damaged
Coenobita eyes
Coenobita eyes
Coenobita eyes
Coenobita eyes
Coenobita eyes
Coenobita eyes
Coenobita eyes
Coenobita compressus eyes Photo Credit: Marnel Rodriguez
Coenobita eyes damaged Photo Credit: Stacy Hebet Larmeu
Coenobita eyes – Photo Credit: Heather Heaton
Coenobita eyes – Photo Credit: Heather Heaton
Coenobita eyes – Photo Credit: Heather Heaton
Coenobita eyes – Photo Credit: Heather Heaton
Coenobita eyes – Photo Credit: Heather Heaton
C. cavipes eyes
C. cavipes eyes
C. clypeatus eyes
C. clypeatus eyes
C. clypeatus eyes
C. clypeatus eyes
C. clypeatus eyes
C. clypeatus eyes
C. clypeatus eyes
C. clypeatus eyes
C. brevimanus eyes
C. brevimanus eyes
C. brevimanus eyes
C. brevimanus eyes
C. cavipes eyes
C. cavipes eyes
C. cavipes eyes
C. brevimanus eyes
C. brevimanus eyes
C. brevimanus with damaged eyes Photo Credit: Kira Ramirez
C. brevimanus with damaged eyes Photo Credit: Kira Ramirez

We are building image galleries of specific body parts. If you have high resolution, clear photos that you would like to donate to this project please contact us via email: crabstreetjournal at gmail dot com

Overview of the anatomy of a land hermit crab (Coenobita)

Photo Credits:
The Crab Street Journal has been granted permission by these photographers to use their photo(s) on our site.
Sean Carroll

Heather Heaton

Stacy Griffith