Abstract
The symbiotic relationship between the crab Trapezia spp. and pocilloporid corals has been characterized as obligate. Although this relationship is considered common and has been widely registered within the distribution areas of these corals, the initiation of this symbiotic relation and its potential persistence throughout the life cycle of the crustacean is still poorly described. To understand the Trapezia–Pocillopora symbiosis, determining the time and conditions when Trapezia recruits a coral colony and the factors influencing this process are key. Thus, in the present study, healthy, small and unrecruited coral fragments were attached to the substrates (using cable ties) of nearby adult Pocillopora colonies. All fragments were monitored for two years to measure their growth and size at the first evidence of Trapezia crab recruitment, as well as the abundance and permanence of the crabs on the coral fragments. Results showed a relation between the space available (coral volume) and crab recruitment as an increase in substrate complexity is required to provide protection for the crabs and hence maintain the symbiosis, while abiotic conditions such as sea temperature and the distance of the fragments from the adult coral colonies seemingly did not affect the recruitment process. In addition, crabs are able to move between colonies, thus discarding the theory that once recruited, crabs are obligate residents on this specific colony.
Highlights
Invertebrates are the most abundant and diverse group within coral reefs [1]; some of them are considered obligate associates on live corals [2] and their distribution has been fully attributed to the presence of their host [3,4,5]
The basis of the symbiotic relationship between corals and crabs as well as the services that are provided are well characterized, so far, we still lack understanding regarding the initiation and stability of this symbiotic relationship, information that is necessary to identify and describe the recruitment-permanence process of Trapezia on Pocillopora and to recognize the key factors involved in it. This symbiosis cannot be fully understood without the basic knowledge of the individual organisms, which will provide insights into the role of Trapezia for the presence and even ability of the coral to resist and/or respond to future climate change scenarios
There were no significant changes in the recruitment process of Trapezia on Pocillopora, though it has been shown previously that invertebrate recruitment in sub-tropical coral communities does not present a seasonal pattern but may have intra-annual differences [22]
Summary
H. M. Canizales-Flores 1 , A. P. Rodríguez-Troncoso 1,* , F. A. Rodríguez-Zaragoza 2 and A. L. Cupul-Magaña 1 Citation: Canizales-Flores, H.M.; Rodríguez-Troncoso, A.P.; Rodríguez-Zaragoza, F.A.; Cupul-Magaña, A.L. A Long-Term Symbiotic Relationship: Recruitment and Fidelity of the Crab Trapezia on Its Coral Host Pocillopora. Diversity 2021, 13, 450. https://doi.org/10.3390/ d13090450 Academic Editors: Michael Wink, Patricia Briones-Fourzán and Michel E. Hendrickx
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
