Abstract
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.
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