Studies on hermit crabs along the Goan coast and their shell selection behavior
Dmello, A.M. (2024). Studies on hermit crabs along the Goan coast and their shell selection behavior. MSc Thesis. Goa University: Goa. 39 pp.
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| Available in | Author |
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Document type: Dissertation
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| Keywords |
Topographic features > Landforms > Coastal landforms > Rocky shores
Anomura [WoRMS]; Clibanarius infraspinatus (Hilgendorf, 1869) [WoRMS]; Diogenes avarus Heller, 1865 [WoRMS]
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| Author keywords |
Diogenidea, Sandy shores, Shell switching, intertidal |
| Abstract |
The present study reports the presence of six species of hermit crabs distributed among two genera and a family Diogenidea, from the intertidal area along the Goan coast. All the recorded species were found inhabiting rocky and sandy habitats. The species Diogenes avarus and Diogenes custos were often observed in shallow sublittoral areas along sandy shores. This study also deals with the shell exchange behavior in the hermit crabs Clibanarius infraspinatus and Diogenes avarus in captive conditions. It was seen that hermit crabs choose shells with less weight and larger aperture size. The two hermit crab species- Clibanarius infraspinatus and Diogenes avarus were able to successfully occupy the shell in the captive environment. |
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