Dulichiella australis

Systematics: Amphipoda Family Melitidae

Distinguishing Characters:
Only the male of Dulichiella australis is easy to identify. It has a huge beak-like claw on one of the second walking legs.

General Biology:
The species lives on sandy sediments of the shallow continental shelf of southeastern Australia. The function of the huge hand of the male is not known but its mass, about a quarter that of the whole animal, must restrict its movement.

Feedback and queries should be sent to the Discovery Centre at Museum Victoria.
Please note, the Discovery Centre can help you only with questions about crustaceans from southeastern Australia. It can not advise on the care of pet hermit crabs or on crustaceans from other regions.