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A hermit crab emerges from its shell, Coenobita perlatus Outside its shell, the soft, curved abdomen of hermit crabs, such as Pagurus bernhardus, is vulnerable. Hermit crab species range in size and shape, from species only a few millimeters long to Coenobita brevimanus (Indos Crab), which can approach the size of a coconut and live 12–70 years.
Calcinus verrillii, commonly known as Verrill's hermit crab, is a species of hermit crab in the genus Calcinus which is endemic to Bermuda.It was first described by the American zoologist Mary J. Rathbun and named in honour of the American zoologist Addison Emery Verrill, who spent much time with his students studying the geology and marine fauna of Bermuda.
When choosing a new shell, this hermit crab prefers a globose shell, especially Turbo and Nerita. In Hawaii, the shells of Trochus intextus and Turbo sandwicensis are often used, while in South Africa, an empty Lunella coronata shell is favoured. [2] This is an aggressive hermit crab species which is prepared to fight for empty shells or other ...
Larger crabs or crabs with less suitable shells will often forcibly remove other crabs with more desirable shells by clasping the chelae, or legs, of the occupant with its pincers, which allows them to takeover the desired shell. [4] [12] Along with predation, shell availability is a major factor in determining P. longicarpus population size. [7]
Calcinus seurati is known for its vibrant appearance, with shells often decorated with patterns like spots and bands. [3] Walking legs banded black and white, claws light or dark gray. [4] This species is a small to medium sized hermit, growing up to 2 in (51 mm) in size. It is omnivorous, feeding on a variety of plant and animal matter.
It is one of only two species of hermit crab (the other being the closely related C. verrilli) in which sexual dimorphism in shell use has been observed. [ 7 ] [ 8 ] Males inhabit gastropod shells , chiefly those of Pisania maculosa or Cerithium vulgatum , [ 5 ] which they can move freely; females occupy the fixed tubes made by the vermetid ...
These relationships have to be carefully considered so that the benefits to the hermit crab outweigh the costs. [14] If the cost is too high, the hermit crab may abandon its shell and locate a replacement. Some algae also use the heavy shell of Calcinus elegans as a settling ground. Many of its shells have been found crusted with coralline algae.
Pagurus samuelis is a small hermit crab, at up to a total length of 40 mm (1.6 in) and a carapace width of up to 19 mm (0.75 in). [2] The base colour of the exoskeleton is brown or green, [2] but the antennae are red, and adults have bright blue bands near the tips of their legs. [3] In smaller individuals, the bands may be white. [2]