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Mismatch between body growth and shell preference in hermit crabs is explained by protection from predators

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Abstract

Hermit crabs recognize different shell attributes and choose shell size, type, or species to maximize their individual fitness. Aquatic hermit crab species commonly prefer relatively heavy shells species in contrast to semi-terrestrial crabs which prefer lighter shells. Lighter shells favor rapid growth and increase individual fitness because larger individual achieve higher success in intra- and inter-individual competition. In this study, we experimentally measured the daily growth of hermit crabs Calcinus californiensis that were forced to occupy four different shell species with different internal volume to mass ratios (IV/M ratio), and whose sequence in preference is known from previous studies (Cantharus > Stramonita > Columbella > Nerita). The shell with the highest IV/M ratio (Nerita) favored body growth rate, while the relatively heaviest (lowest IV/M ratios) and most preferred shells (Stramonita and Cantharus) hindered body growth. Our results suggest that in this aquatic hermit crab, the benefits of carrying heavy shells that give better predatory protection exceeded the benefits of rapid growth that can be obtained using lighter, thinner, and less protective shells.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by Programa de Apoyo a Proyectos de Investigación e Innovación Tecnológica (UNAM-DGAPA-PAPIIT, IN-213112) and Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACyT, CB-2011-167915). We thank Patricia Cortes and Gastón Jofre for editing this English-language text.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratorio de Ecofisiología, Departamento de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico, D.F., Mexico

    Guillermina Alcaraz, Carlos Enrique Chávez-Solís & Karla Kruesi

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  1. Guillermina Alcaraz
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  2. Carlos Enrique Chávez-Solís
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  3. Karla Kruesi
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Correspondence to Guillermina Alcaraz.

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Handling editor: Diego Fontaneto

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Alcaraz, G., Chávez-Solís, C.E. & Kruesi, K. Mismatch between body growth and shell preference in hermit crabs is explained by protection from predators. Hydrobiologia 743, 151–156 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-014-2029-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-014-2029-8

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