Shell Selection and Utilization by the Terrestrial Hermit Crab Coenobita Rugosus in Natural and Laboratory Conditions (original) (raw)

Extensively distributed along tropics and subtropics, terrestrial hermit crabs play critical roles in coastal ecology and they often show preferences towards few gastropod shells in natural ecosystems. The nature of selection of empty gastropod shells as protective ‘home’ from natural environment for shelter varies with species. In this study the vacant shell search and selection by the terrestrial hermit crab Coenobita rugosus (Coenobitidae; Crustacea) was found to be governed by various parameters including the presence of vacant shells in vicinity, types of vacant shells, and morphometric characters of shells. Laboratory simulation for 72 hours of exposure of hermit crab to different types of vacant host shell combinations followed by statistical evaluation revealed specific relationship in shell selection by hermit crab with morphometric characteristics of vacanthost shells.They also exhibit a greater plasticity in shell selection.