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Shell preference of the hermit crab Pagurus exilis (Anomura: Paguridae) from Brazil and Argentina: a comparative study
Mantelatto, Fernando L; Biagi, Renata; Meireles, Andrea L; Scelzo, Marcelo A.
  • Mantelatto, Fernando L; University of São Paulo. Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of Ribeirão Preto. Laboratory of Bioecology and Crustacean Systematics, Department of Biology. Ribeirão Preto. BR
  • Biagi, Renata; University of São Paulo. Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of Ribeirão Preto. Laboratory of Bioecology and Crustacean Systematics, Department of Biology. Ribeirão Preto. BR
  • Meireles, Andrea L; University of São Paulo. Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of Ribeirão Preto. Laboratory of Bioecology and Crustacean Systematics, Department of Biology. Ribeirão Preto. BR
  • Scelzo, Marcelo A; Mar del Plata Nacional University. FCEyN. Department of Marine Sciences. Mar del Plata. AR
Rev. biol. trop ; 55(supl.1): 153-161, jun. 2007. tab
Article in English | LILACS | ID: lil-473839
RESUMEN
Las preferencias por conchas de caracoles gastrópodos en los cangrejos ermitaños, según han demostrado experimentos de selección en el laboratorio, son importantes para definir la utilización de conchas en condiciones naturales. omparamos el tamaño y la especie de conchas preferidas por el cangrejo ermitaño Pagurus exilis con las especies más ocupadas (Olivancillaria urceus, Natica isabelleana y Buccinanops gradatum) en la región de Caraguatatuba, Brasil, y para las dos más ocupadas (B. gradatum y N. isabelleana) en Mar del Plata, Argentina. Todos los experimentos fueron hechos en acuarios de vidrio donde los cangrejos ermitaños fueron puestos sin sus conchas, ofreciéndoles conchas de tamaños apropiados. Luego de 36 h medimos los cangrejos y las conchas seleccionadas. La relación entre el tipo de concha preferida, el tamaño y el volumen, se analizó con análisis de regresión. P. exilis mostró una selección significativa. Los especimenes de rgentina prefirieron N. isabelleana y los de Brasil eligieron . gradatum > N. isabelleana > O. urceus. La preferencia stuvo caracterizada por el peso de la concha y su olumen interno. Los datos actuales nos llevan a concluir que la selección de la concha involucra preferencias individuales, e tienen en cuenta los rasgos de las conchas que proveen mejor protección y supervivencia.
ABSTRACT
Shell preferences, as shown by laboratory choice experiments, are important determinants of shell utilization under natural conditions. Size and shell species preferences of the hermit crab Pagurus exilis were determined and compared for the most occupied shell types (Olivancillaria urceus, Natica isabelleana and Buccinanops gradatum) in the Caraguatatuba region, Brazil, and for the two most occupied species (B. gradatum and N. isabelleana) in Mar del Plata, Argentina. All experiments were conducted under laboratory conditions, using glass aquaria where the hermit crabs were placed naked with a large number of shells of appropriate sizes. After 36 h the crabs and chosen shells were measured. The relationship between preferred shell type, shell size and shell volume was determined by regression analysis. Pagurus exilis showed significant choices amongst shell types. Specimens from Argentina preferred N. isabelleana and those from Brazil chose B. gradatum > N. isabelleana > O. urceus. Preferences were characterized by shell weight and internal volume. The present data lead us to conclude that shell selection by hermit crabs involves individual preferences related to the shell features that best provide protection and survival.
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Full text: Available Index: LILACS (Americas) Main subject: Behavior, Animal / Anomura / Biodiversity Limits: Animals Country/Region as subject: South America / Argentina / Brazil Language: English Journal: Rev. biol. trop Journal subject: Biology / Tropical Medicine Year: 2007 Type: Article Affiliation country: Argentina / Brazil Institution/Affiliation country: Mar del Plata Nacional University/AR / University of São Paulo/BR

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Full text: Available Index: LILACS (Americas) Main subject: Behavior, Animal / Anomura / Biodiversity Limits: Animals Country/Region as subject: South America / Argentina / Brazil Language: English Journal: Rev. biol. trop Journal subject: Biology / Tropical Medicine Year: 2007 Type: Article Affiliation country: Argentina / Brazil Institution/Affiliation country: Mar del Plata Nacional University/AR / University of São Paulo/BR