Stevens Hermit

How to Distinguish from Similar Species: P. dalli has only one row of spines on the dorsal surface of its left chela and the carpus of the right cheliped is only about 1.5x as long as wide, plus it has a distinct white band on the distal part of the merus of the chelipeds.

Biology/Natural History: This individual is living in the sponge Suberites suberea forma latus. It may actually be inside the fragments of a badly eroded shell which the sponge covered. This species usually lives in sponges, though it may live in a shell as well.

_On shell/gravel bottoms.

Depth Range: Subtidal, 5-198 m

This subtidal hermit crab has a smooth carapace, only part of which is calcified. The rostrum is not pronounced, with a blunt tip. The carpus of the left cheliped is about 3x as long as wide; while the carpus of the right cheliped is about 2x as long as wide and is not flattened. The dorsal surface of the left chela does not have a prominent ridge or crest near the midline and the ventral surface of the merus of the right cheliped has no prominent tubercles. The propodus and dactyl of the left chela meet without a promenent gap in the middle, and the propodus has a double row of divergent spines on the eminence near the midline of its dorsal surface. The right chela is long and slender, with a granular surface. There is no white band on the distal part of the merus of the chelipeds. Color mostly reddish-brown. No bands on the antennae.

Geographical Range: Akun Island to Puget Sound