Shell acquisition by hermit crabs: which tactic is more efficient?

摘要: Gastropod shells are limited resources for most hermit crab species, acting as primary factors in various aspects of their biology. To investigate the efficacy different behavioral tactics adopted acquisition (locomotion, attendance at shell-supplying sites, interactions with conspecifics aggregation) we conducted observations and experiments a salt marsh New England (USA). Locomotion, fast meandering, significantly increased chances encountering empty conspecifics. However, shell exchanges were rare. Simulated gastropod predation sites quickly attracted larger number crabs than other tested (live dead conspecifics, live snails) induced rapid occupancy all offered, usually by first arriving site. Aggregations seemed not to function exchange markets, previously suggested several species. In short run, exploitation seems be more efficient new Pagurus longicarpus. long it is density nondestructive predators that regulates availability good quality pool available this