Axial Skeleton and Musculature in the Thorax of the Hermit Crab,Pagurus Bernhardus[Anomura:Paguridae

Abstract

During an examination of the distribution and relationships of muscle receptor organs in the hermit crab,Pagurus bernhardus(Pilgrim, in preparation), it was found that not enough was known about the muscular anatomy of the animal for the experimental work to be described satisfactorily. This paper is therefore an account of the anatomy appropriate to a better understanding of the receptor organs. In the preparation of this account, it was necessary to examine the skeleton of the animal in great detail, since a knowledge of the relationships of especially the movable skeletal parts is basic for an understanding of the muscular system. The study also forms part of a series in which the comparative anatomy of the axial skeleto-muscular systems is examined in the Decapoda. This paper falls naturally into two parts, dealing respectively with the skeleton and the muscles. Although emphasis in this work is on the trunk anatomy of the last six segments of the thorax, it is necessary to extend observations beyond this region for certain interpretations.