Hermit crabs (Crustacea: Decapoda: Anomura), gastropod shells and environmental structure: their relationship in southeastern Brazil

Abstract

Species composition and the pattern of shell utilization by hermit crabs were studied in five areas of São Sebastião Channel. Habitat characteristics were evaluated and related to the presence and relative abundance of crabs. Nine species of hermit crab were found: Clibanarius antillensis, Clibanarius vittatus, Clibanarius sclopetarius, Calcinus tibicen, Paguristes tortugae, Paguristes erythrops, Petrochirus diogenes, Pagurus criniticornis and Pagurus brevidactylus. Habitat complexity, moisture, rocky shore slope and hydrodynamism were the major characteristics influencing hermit crab presence, relative abundance and distribution in these areas. Shell utilization and availability varied among sites and shell utilization seemed to be dependent on differences in local shell supply (size and abundance of living snails) and preferences of the hermit crabs for certain shell types.