Hairy stone crab

The hairy stone crab (Lomis hirta) is a crab-like anomuran crustacean that lives in the littoral zone of southern Australia from Bunbury, Western Australia, to the Bass Strait.^[2] It is the only species in the family Lomisidae. It is 1.5–2.5 cm (0.6–1.0 in) wide,^[2] slow-moving, and covered in brown hair which camouflages it against the rocks upon which it lives.^[3]

Hairy stone crab
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Malacostraca
Order:	Decapoda
Suborder:	Pleocyemata
Infraorder:	Anomura
Superfamily:	Lomisoidea Bouvier, 1895
Family:	Lomisidae Bouvier, 1895 [Note 1]
Genus:	Lomis H. Milne Edwards, 1837
Species:	L. hirta
Binomial name
Lomis hirta (Lamarck, 1818)

Live specimen

Some controversy exists about the relationship between L. hirta and the other anomuran families. Candidates for its closest relatives have included hermit crabs,^[4] specifically king crabs,^[5] and Aegla.^[6][7] It is clear, however, that Lomis represents a separate case of carcinisation.^[8]

Notes

1. The name "Lomidae" may also be encountered, but is incorrect.^[1]