[8] Sperm can only be transferred directly from the male's gonopod into the ovigerous female after a molting period, when her exoskeleton has not hardened yet.

[8] With each molting period between these three phases, the crab gains new appendages while limbs that were formerly established become more specialized.

[11] The trunk sprouts five pairs of walking legs, which are segmented medially to laterally: coxa, basis, ischium, merus, carpus, manus, and dactyl.

[12] The coxa, basis, ischium are smaller aspects that serve to attach the jointed limb to the crab's body.

Most of D. personata's body is covered in tiny dark brown hairs that result in a smooth or velvet-like appearance.

[4] Meanwhile, it utilizes its remaining ambulatory legs, the fourth and fifth pairs, to hold sponges against the hairs of its dorsal cephalothorax.

[4] The two organisms have a symbiotic relationship where the crab is able to camouflage[4] while providing the sponge with physical protection from predators, such as fish, turtles, and sea slugs.

[17] The crab prefers Halichondria panicea, Celtodoryx ciocalyptoides,[6] and sponges of the Suberites genus.

[14] When another organism attempts to eat or steal its sponge, the host crab attacks with its chelae.

[14] In addition, it surpasses considerable physical challenges, such as lifting rocks, in order to retrieve its sponge.