Interpreting odours in hermit crabs: A comparative study

Tricarico, Elena; Breithaupt, Thomas; Gherardi, Francesca

Abstract

Odours of different sources can indicate to hermit crabs the availability of empty shells, crucial resources for the life cycle of almost all of them. Here, we compared Clibanarius erythropus and Pagurus bernhardus for the intensity of investigative behaviour exhibited towards an empty, well-fitting shell in the presence of (1) plain seawater as control and seawater conditioned by (2) dead and live snails, (3) dead and live conspecifics, (4) live predators, and (5) food. During 10 min of observation, we recorded latency (the time until the first contact with the shell), and the number and duration of shell investigation bouts. The two species behaved similarly when exposed to the odours of food, live snails, and predators, while a more intense shell investigation was induced by dead snail odour in C. erythropus and by dead or live conspecific odour in P. bernhardus. Further studies should investigate the influence of phylogeny and ecology on this interspecific difference. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd.

Citation

Tricarico, E., Breithaupt, T., & Gherardi, F. (2011). Interpreting odours in hermit crabs: A comparative study. Estuarine, coastal and shelf science, 91(2), 211-215. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2010.10.039

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 24, 2010
• Online Publication Date: Nov 9, 2010
• Publication Date: Jan 20, 2011
• Journal: ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE
• Print ISSN: 0272-7714
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 91
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 211-215
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2010.10.039
• Keywords: Pagurus bernhardus; Clibanarius erythropus; Odours; Shell investigation
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/400024
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272771410003902?via%3Dihub