Abstract
The shell entry and shell selection of hydroid-colonized (either Hydractinia echinata or Podocoryne selena) shells by two populations each of Pagurus pollicaris, P. longicarpus, and Clibanarius vittatus were observed under various conditions. All three species either initially chose or subsequently switched into bare shells, even in the presence of a predator. The population of P. pollicaris where Octopus joubini was more abundant initially selected hydroid-colonized shells more frequently in one experiment than did the other population of crabs. The general avoidance of hydroid-colonized shells is probably due to the crabs' being stung by nematocysts.
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