Dromia personata

Dromia personata
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Malacostraca
Order: Decapoda
Suborder: Pleocyemata
Infraorder: Brachyura
Family: Dromiidae
Genus: Dromia
Species:
D. personata
Binomial name
Dromia personata
Synonyms 
  • Cancer personatus Linnaeus, 1758
  • Cancer caputmortuum Linnaeus, 1767
  • Dromia clypeata Schousboe, 1802
  • Dromia vulgaris H. Milne-Edwards, 1837
  • Dromia communis Lucas, 1840
  • Dromia mediterranea Leach, 1875

Dromia personata, also known as the sponge crab or sleepy crab, is a species of crab found in the North Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, and connecting parts of the northeastern Atlantic Ocean. Like most other epibenthic crustaceans, the biomass of this species is especially dense in the Mediterranean continental shelf. It mainly resides from the lower shore to a depth of 50 meters (164 ft), often in caves. Occasionally, they are found living in depths as low as 110 meters (360 ft). They serve as prey for octopus, starfish, and other fish. Their last two pairs of legs are positioned dorsally, and are used to hold a sponge in place as camouflage.