About Lomis hirta (Lamarck, 1818)
The hairy stone crab, scientifically named Lomis hirta, is a crab-like anomuran crustacean. It inhabits the littoral zone of southern Australia, ranging from Bunbury, Western Australia, to the Bass Strait. This species is the only member of the family Lomisidae. It measures 1.5–2.5 cm (0.6–1.0 in) across its body, moves slowly, and is covered in brown hair that camouflages it against the rocks it lives on. There is ongoing controversy over the evolutionary relationship between L. hirta and other anomuran families. Proposed candidates for its closest relatives have included hermit crabs (specifically king crabs), and Aegla. It is well-established, however, that Lomis represents an independent case of carcinisation.
