paguroid (paguroid)

and n. I. a. Resembling a hermit-crab; specifically, of or pertaining to the Paguroidea. II. n. A member of the Paguroidea . Paguroidea (pag-u-roidē-ä), n . pl . [NL., Pa gurus + Gr. εἶδος , form.] A superfamily of hermit or soldier-crabs, represented by the Paguridæ and Cœnobitidæ , having the posterior abdominal segments moined attachment or thedominal segmenten dien tamen the animal to the shell in which it takes up the deserted shells of mollusks, such as whelks, which Diogenes-crab ( Cœnobita tricar in at a ), one of the Paguroidea. its they change for larger ones as they increase in size. They are provided with a tail, and with two or three pairs of rudimentary feet, by means eans of which they retain their po sition in their borrowed dwelling. The carapace is not strong, but the claws are well developed, one being always larger than the other. The most common British species is Eupagurus bernhardus. Also Paguridea. See also cuts under cancrisocial and Eupagurus.