Interspecific shell transfer by mutual predation site attendance

The hermit crabs Clibanarius vittatus and Pagurus pollicaris overlap considerably in the species of gastropod shells occupied. Patterns of epibionts on shells suggested interspecific transfer between the crab species. In laboratory observations, however, even when crabs were highly motivated to get new shells, no direct transfers occurred. This lack of exchanges is correlated with different shell exchange behaviour patterns of the two crab species. When simulated snail predation sites were set up in the laboratory and in the field, indirect interspecific transfers were observed as crabs moved from occupied shells to recently vacated shells. © 1996 The Assodation for the Study of Animal Behaviour.

Duke Scholars

Author Daniel Rittschof Marine Science and Conservation