scholarly journals Shell utilization pattern of the hermit crab Clibanarius vittatus (Crustacea, Anomura) in an estuary at São Vicente, State of São Paulo, Brazil

2006 ◽  
Vol 96 (2) ◽  
pp. 261-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno S. Sant'Anna ◽  
Cilene M. Zangrande ◽  
Alvaro L. D. Reigada ◽  
Marcelo A. A. Pinheiro
Keyword(s):  
Hermit Crab ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
Hermit Crabs ◽  
Size Difference ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
Utilization Pattern ◽  
Shell Size ◽  
Stramonita Haemastoma ◽  
Clibanarius Vittatus ◽  
Shield Length

We evaluated the gastropod shell utilization pattern of the hermit crab Clibanarius vittatus (Bosc, 1802) at Pescadores Beach in São Vicente, State of São Paulo, Brazil. Specimens were collected monthly from May 2001 through April 2003, in the intertidal zone at low tide. The crabs were weighed and their carapace shield length measured. All gastropod shells were identified and had their shell biometric parameters (total length and aperture length) measured (mm) and weighed (g). A total of 2,344 hermit crabs (644 males, 1,594 females, 45 ovigerous females and 61 individuals in intersex), using 13 species of gastropod shells, were collected. Stramonita haemastoma (Linnaeus, 1767), Cymatium parthenopeum (Von Salis, 1793) and Achatina fulica (Bowdich, 1822) comprised over 98% of all the shells. Male and intersex crabs were significantly larger than the females. This size difference strongly influenced the shell utilization pattern, principally in A. fulica, which has the largest shell size, that was only used by males and intersexual individuals of C. vittatus. Cymatium parthenopeum was the only shell species that showed a high determinant coefficient in all the biometric correlations evaluated. The high abundance of S. haemastoma shells and a strong correlation between crab size and shell aperture length established by a significant determination coefficient, indicated that C. vittatus uses this species as the principal resource for shell occupation at Pescadores Beach.

scholarly journals Growth of the hermit crab Clibanarius vittatus (Bosc, 1802) (Crustacea, Anomura, Diogenidae) at São Vicente, São Paulo, Brazil

2008 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 547-550 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno Sampaio Sant’Anna ◽  
Ronaldo Adriano Christofoletti ◽  
Cilene Mariane Zangrande ◽  
Alvaro Luis Diogo Reigada
Keyword(s):  
Growth Pattern ◽  
Hermit Crab ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
Seasonal Growth ◽  
Asymptotic Size ◽  
Clibanarius Vittatus ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Shield Length

The present study analyzed the growth of males and females of the hermit crab Clibanarius vittatus (Bosc, 1802), at São Vicente, São Paulo, Brazil. Monthly collections were made from May/2001 through April/2003, at the Pescadores Beach in São Vicente. The 2,501 crabs caught were identified and sexed and the carapace shield length (CSL) was measured. For the seasonal growth study, the population was divided into 5mm size classes (CSL) and analyzed by the Bertalanffy method, with the aid of the program Fisat II. The mean sizes of the 703 males and 1,798 females were 8.94±1.80 and 6.61±1.13 mm, respectively. A seasonal growth pattern was observed, with males reaching an asymptotic size (14.92 mm) larger than that of females (13.85 mm). Males began the growth process approximately five months before the females. This growth pattern probably helped to reduce intraspecific competition for the shells, because the males reached larger size and made the smaller shells available to the females.

scholarly journals Characterization of the occupied shells by the hermit crab Clibanarius vittatus (Decapoda, Diogenidae) at Baixio Mirim tideflat, Guaratuba Bay, southern Brazil

2010 ◽  
Vol 82 (4) ◽  
pp. 833-842 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara R. Sampaio ◽  
Setuko Masunari
Keyword(s):  
Hermit Crab ◽  
Spring Tide ◽  
Hermit Crabs ◽  
Correlation Ratio ◽  
Stramonita Haemastoma ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Clibanarius Vittatus ◽  
Successful Establishment ◽  
Shield Length

A characterization of the occupied shells by the hermit crab Clibanarius vittatus was carried out. Hermit crabs were collected in the intertidal zone, during the low spring tide monthly from April 2005 to March 2006. They were sexed and their cephalothoracic shield length (CL) was measured. Shells were identified, dried, weighed and the aperture length (AL) and width (AW) were measured. 1187 crabs were collected (949 males, 216 females and 22 intersexes), which occupied 12 species of gastropod shells. Stramonita haemastoma, Olivancillaria urceus and Dorsanum moniliferum made up 96.55% of the total shell species. Male hermit crabs attained significantly larger sizes than females; therefore, males occupied a wider spectrum of shells in size and weight. A stronger correlation ratio was obtained between CL and AW of S. haemastoma. Last whorl with a rounded shape and a spacious inner area is a common feature of all shell species most frequently occupied by this hermit crab where it occurs. The successful establishment of C. vittatus at Baixio Mirim is mainly due to the appropriately shaped and wide range of size of S. haemastoma shells that were most often occupied by the hermit crabs of the studied population.

scholarly journals Population biology and reproduction of the hermit crab Clibanarius vittatus (Decapoda: Anomura) in an estuarine region of southern Brazil

2009 ◽  
Vol 89 (4) ◽  
pp. 761-767 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno Sampaio Sant'Anna ◽  
Álvaro Luiz Diogo Reigada ◽  
Marcelo Antonio Amaro Pinheiro
Keyword(s):  
Hermit Crab ◽  
Population Biology ◽  
Reproductive Activity ◽  
Hermit Crabs ◽  
Reproductive Pattern ◽  
Size Frequency Distribution ◽  
Clibanarius Vittatus ◽  
Shield Length ◽  
Bell Shaped Curve ◽  
Modal Size

The population dynamics and reproduction of the hermit crab Clibanarius vittatus were evaluated on Pescadores Beach, located on the estuarine channel of São Vicente (São Paulo), Brazil. The hermit crabs were captured by hand during low tide, from May 2001 to April 2003. A total of 2554 hermit crabs were captured, of which 701 were males, 1741 non-ovigerous females, 48 ovigerous females and 64 intersex individuals. The size–frequency distribution of the males was represented by a platykurtic bell-shaped curve, which differed from the leptokurtic bell-shaped curve of the females. The smaller and intermediate classes were composed mainly of females (modal size 6.5–7.5 mm carapace shield length (CSL)), and the larger classes only by males (modal size 9.5–10.5 mm CSL). The overall sex-ratio was skewed toward females (0.39:1/M:F), differing significantly from the expected 1:1. A seasonal reproductive pattern was recorded for C. vittatus in this location, with more intensive reproductive activity in the warmer months. The absence of juveniles suggests that their recruitment area is different than the area inhabited by adults, possibly another area with more protection and specialized or different resources for young.

scholarly journals Hermit crab (Decapoda, Anomura) attraction to dead gastropod baits in an infralittoral algae bank

2002 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 245-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juarez C. B. Pezzuti ◽  
Alexander Turra ◽  
Fosca P. P. Leite
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Physical Condition ◽  
Hermit Crab ◽  
Chemical Cues ◽  
Hermit Crabs ◽  
Specific Response ◽  
Utilization Pattern ◽  
Gastropod Shell ◽  
Three Samples ◽  
Shield Length

Hermit crabs use gastropod shells as shelter and are adapted to follow chemical cues released from tissues of dead or injured gastropods as a way to find new and more adequate shells. The species composition, crab size, shell types adequacy and physical condition were compared between attracted individuals and crabs collected in previous samples. The previous sampling was carried out in five areas before each experiment. Then, five baits of crushed gastropods in nylon net bags were installed in these areas. Three samples were taken at 30min intervals, capturing all crabs within a circle of 60cm diameter. Attraction of hermit crabs was tested for four different gastropod baits to verify specificity of the chemical cues. Clibanarius antillensis, Pagurus brevidactylus and Paguristes tortugae were collected in the study area. Pagurus brevidactylus, the smallest species, turned out to be more attracted than the 2 other species. The results showed that attracted crabs utilized more gastropod shell types than that collected in previous samples, however shell utilization pattern did not differ between them. Attracted animals were slightly smaller (shield length) than those collected in the previous samples but did not present significant differences in shell adequacy and condition. The four experimental baits attracted the crabs in similar ways not indicating a specific response from the crabs. The fact that attracted animals were smaller suggested that the attraction to dead gastropods might enable the acquisition of a new and larger shell and, consequently, chains of shell exchange between the attracted crabs.

Shell utilization patterns of a tropical intertidal hermit crab assemblage

2002 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Turra ◽  
Fosca P.P. Leite
Keyword(s):  
Hermit Crab ◽  
Low Energy ◽  
Hermit Crabs ◽  
Crab Species ◽  
Stramonita Haemastoma ◽  
Utilization Patterns ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Shield Length

The shell selection and utilization patterns of three sympatric hermit crab populations (Clibanarius antillensis, C. sclopetarius, and C. vittatus) and shell availability were studied in a tropical intertidal low energy area. Shell availability (except for C. antillensis) was low and the hermit crabs showed overlap in size (mainly C. sclopetarius and C. vittatus). The influence of shell availability and selection on shell use was dependent on crab species. Clibanarius antillensis used mainly shells of Cerithium atratum, the most available shell species, while Clibanarius sclopetarius and C. vittatus occupied shells with lower availability in the studied area such as Chicoreus senegalensis, Stramonita haemastoma, Leucozonia nassa and Cymatium parthenopeum. The three species selected different gastropod shells with only Clibanarius antillensis using almost exclusively its preferred shell species in nature. The relationship between shield length and the weight of the used shell was not dependent on crab species or shell species, indicating that the size (not species) of the shells defines what size (not species) of crabs will occupy them.

Gastropod predation sites: the role of predator and prey in chemical attraction of the hermit crab Clibanarius vittatus

1990 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 583-596 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Rittschof ◽  
C.M. Kratt ◽  
A.S. Clare
Keyword(s):  
Salivary Gland ◽  
Ionic Strength ◽  
Salivary Glands ◽  
Hermit Crab ◽  
Sea Water ◽  
Hermit Crabs ◽  
Muscle Proteins ◽  
Clibanarius Vittatus ◽  
Low Ionic Strength

Gastropod shells are essential to most hermit crabs. Shell availability limits hermit crab populations. Shells provide protection and the degree of shell-fit controls crab growth and fecundity. Crabs locate new gastropod shells from a distance under water by molecules released from gastropod flesh during predation events. Here we test the hypothesis that the salivary glands of the predatory gastropod are the source of enzymes that digest muscle proteins and release peptide attractants. We describe the anatomy of both the acinous salivary glands and the tubular accessory salivary glands of Busycon contrarium which are similar to those of B. carica. The salivary gland ducts empty at the mouth, suggesting a role in the primary digestion of food. We show that gastropod muscle proteins, extracted by salt solutions with the ionic strength of sea water and purified by precipitation in low ionic strength can be digested by gastropod salivary gland enzymes to generate peptides attractive to the hermit crab, Clibanarius vittatus, in field assays.

BEHAVIOUR AND MORPHOLOGY OF PAGURID HERMIT CRABS (DECAPODA, ANOMURA) THAT LIVE IN TUSK SHELLS (MOLLUSCA, SCAPHOPODA)

Crustaceana ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takamichi Ando ◽  
Michio Imafuku
Keyword(s):  
Hermit Crab ◽  
Asymmetry Index ◽  
Hermit Crabs ◽  
Positive Correlation ◽  
Weak Preference ◽  
A Value ◽  
Pagurus Filholi ◽  
Parallel Pattern ◽  
De Man ◽  
Shield Length

AbstractBehaviour and morphology of the hermit crab, Pagurus imafukui, which occupies tusk shells in nature, were investigated. A positive correlation was found between the shield length of the crab and the width of the tusk shell. The uropods were nearly symmetrical, with an average asymmetry index of 0.04, such in contrast with a value of 0.28 for Pagurus filholi, that naturally occupies dextral shells. P. imafukui showed a weak preference for tusk shells over dextral shells. The crabs walked in a parallel pattern, while they adopted a cross pattern when forced to enter dextral shells or were in a shell-less condition. On the contrary, P. filholi individuals walked in a cross pattern when in a tusk shell as well as in a dextral shell. Behaviours of shell entering, copulation, and zoeal release as seen in P. imafukui, are similar to the conditions observed in other species. Nearly symmetrical uropods, preference for non-spiral shells, and the walking style comprising a parallel pattern, are thought to be specific to this hermit crab that lives in non-spiral dwellings. Verhalten und Morphologie des Einsiedlerkrebses Pagurus imafukui McLaughlin & Konishi, 1994 der Scaphopoden-Schalen bewohnt, wurden untersucht. Es wurde eine positive Korrelation zwischen Carapaxlange des Krebses und Breite der Scaphopoden-Schale gefunden. Die Uropoden sind fast symmetrisch. Der Medianwert des Asymmetrie-Indexes betragt 0,04 in deutlichem Gegensatz zu dem von 0,28 bei Pagurus filholi De Man, 1887, der rechtsgewundene Schalen bewohnt. P. imafukui zeigte eine schwache Bevorzugung von Scaphopoden-Schalen im Vergleich mit rechtsgewundenen Schalen. Die Gangart der Einsiedler ist parallel, aber uber Kreuz in schalenlosem Zustand oder in rechtsgewundener Schale. Von P. filholi wird sowohl in Scaphopoden-Schalen als auch in rechtsgewundenen Schalen nur letztere Gangart benutzt. Das Verhalten bei der Inbesitznahme der Schale, bei der Begattung und dem Entlassen der Zoeen gleicht dem bei anderen Arten. Fast symmetrische Uropoden, Bevorzugung ungewundener Schalen und die parallele Gangart werden als Besonderheiten dieser Einsiedler-Art betrachtet, die ungewundene Gehause bewohnt.

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