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Diogenes heteropsammicola is a species of hermit crab that lives within "walking corals" of the genera Heterocyathus and Heteropsammia. The Diogenes heteropsammicola is sinifcantly different from other hermit crabs due to its thin chelipeds, ambulatory legs, and its proportionate telson. This hermit crab is similar to the sipunculan. Just as the sipunculan does, the diogenes heteropsammicola moves the host coral, as well as prohibits the coral from being buried under the sand.



These coral have an internal cavity that is typically occupied by a symbiotic sipunculan worm; in the crab's habitat in the Ōshima Straight south of Amami Ōshima, it is often found inside the corals instead.