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The midden constitutes a source of empty shells available for use by hermit crabs, and P. puncticeps individuals have been observed carrying empty shells away from the pile. [4] The middens also attract hermit crabs which feed on food scraps left by the octopus, but feeding close to the octopus den is a risky business.
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]
The example of king crabs (family Lithodidae) evolving from hermit crabs has been particularly well studied, and evidence in their biology supports this theory. For example, most hermit crabs are asymmetrical, and fit well into spiral snail shells; the abdomens of king crabs, even though they do not use snail shells for shelter, are also ...
Hermit crabs fighting over a shell A hermit crab retracted into a shell of Acanthina punctulata and using its claws to block the entrance. As hermit crabs grow, they require larger shells. Since suitable intact gastropod shells are sometimes a limited resource, competition often occurs between hermit crabs for shells. The availability of empty ...
They reproduce through indirect sperm transfer between male and females. Courtship rituals involving touch and smell are common before mating. [8] Like other hermit crabs, they cannot make their own shells and instead they most often live in discarded snail shells. [9] Multiple Redleg calcinus have been observed sharing a single shell. [10]
Mangrove crabs are predated on by wading birds, fish, sharks, [8] monkeys, hawks, and raccoons. [7] The larvae of mangrove crabs is a major source of food for juvenile fish in waterways near the crabs. [24] Adult mangrove crabs are food for the crab plover among other protected species. [17] To protect themselves the crabs can climb trees. [25]
While typically reclusive, hermit crabs will on occasion forge a relationship with other marine organisms. Some cnidarians use the hard surface of hermit crab shells to settle and grow polyps. The cnidaria aid in defending the crab from predators using their stinging cnidae and may reduce the need for frequent shell exchange.
The white-spotted hermit crabs are gonochorics, the eggs are carried on the female's abdomen. They also are opportunistic omnivore, mainly feeding on small invertebrates (worms, molluscs, etc.) and they are also reported to feed on holothurians. Commonly these crabs perform a precopulatory courtship ritual. Usually the sperm transfer is indirect.