A pea-sized crab described as a
parasite has been discovered living inside a large mussel collected from the Solomon Islands. The crab, named
Serenotheres janus, lives on the food filtered by the golden date mussel and also relies on it for protection. The newly described crab is only the second species in the genus that is parasitic to rock boring mussels.
US Person thinks that the relationship between the crab and mussel will prove to be more symbiotic than parasitic, with the tiny housekeeper providing cleaning services for its host.
