M. Imazu et A. Asakura, DISTRIBUTION, REPRODUCTION AND SHELL UTILIZATION PATTERNS IN 3 SPECIES OF INTERTIDAL HERMIT-CRABS ON A ROCKY SHORE ON THE PACIFIC COAST OF JAPAN, Journal of experimental marine biology and ecology, 184(1), 1994, pp. 41-65
The spatial distribution, reproduction, and shell utilization patterns
of three species of common intertidal hermit crabs Pagurus geminus Mc
Laughlin, Pagurus lanuginosus De Haan and Clibanarius virescens (Kraus
s) on a rocky shore of Kominato, Bose Peninsula, Japan, are described.
Although the distribution of each species greatly overlapped, Pagurus
geminus mainly inhabited the middle intertidal zone, with Clibanarius
virescens occupying a lower and Pagurus lanuginosus the lowest zone,
This pattern was maintained over a 1-yr period with a few minor change
s. Female Pagurus geminus generally inhabited a lower zone than males,
ovigerous female Clibanarius virescens were distributed slightly lowe
r than males, whereas a distinct sexual difference in the distribution
was not seen in Pagurus lanuginosus. The ovigerous period of Pagurus
geminus extended from October to August and is the longest reproductiv
e season reported for a rocky intertidal decapod in Japanese waters. P
agurus lanuginosus became ovigerous from December to May and Clibanari
us virescens, from April to December. The sex ratio was biased toward
females in each case. Shell utilization patterns differed significantl
y between the three species, with Clibanarius virescens using the grea
test variety of shells (33 species). Within species, sexual difference
s in shell utilization were seen in Pagurus geminus and Clibanarius vi
vescens.