CLASSIFICATION OF HIPPA (MOLE CRAB)
KINGDOM :- ANIMALIA (Multicellular eukaryotic organisms)
PHYLUM :- ARTHROPODA (Jointed appendages.)
SUB-PHYLUM:- CRUSTACEA (Exoskeleton thick, antennae 2 pairs, jaws 3 pairs.)
CLASS :- MALACOSTRACA (Free-living Crustacea with compound eyes, biramous antennules, mandibles, 8 thoracic and 6 abdominal segments having appendages.)
ORDER :- DECAPODA (Carapace present; first three thoracic limbs from maxillipedes.)
FAMILY :- HIPPIDAE
GENUS :- Hippa (Mole crab)
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION
It is found on Pacific coast, U.S.A. and Oregon to Mexico.
HABIT AND HABITAT
Hippa is commonly found in the sand bottoms and beaches near the coastal region. It burrows with fast speed.
GENERAL CHARACTERSTICS OF HIPPA (MOLE CRAB)
- Commonly called as mole crab.
- Body is somewhat reduced and the sub-cylindrical carapace is provided with wings which cover the legs. Rostrum is reduced.
- Head appendages are a pair of stalked compound eyes, a pair of short antennules a pair of long hairy antennae. The third maxillipedes are broad.
- 7 pairs of thoracic appendages are present. First 2 pairs are partially chelate, next two pairs are pointed anteriorly and last three pairs are backwardly pointed. A gill is attached with each thoracic legs.
- Last one or two pairs of thoracic appendages are usually smaller and often concealed by the carapace.
- Abdomen is more or less reduced often soft and bent upon itself. The abdominal pleura small.
- Abdomen 6-segmented. First 3 abdominal segments bear swimming appendages and produce water current to bathe the gills. The last three are posteriorly directed and are called as uropods, which are used for darting
IDENTIFICATION
The animal contains sub-cylindrical carapace concealing appendages and all above features, hence it is Hippa.
