Abstract A total of 340 specimens of hermit crabs belonging to 34 species, included in four families and 10 genera were collected from the northern coast of Halmahera, in North Maluku, Indonesia. Two species are reported for the first time from Indonesia: Coenobita pseudorugosus Nakasone, 1988, and Trichopagurus macrochela Komai and Osawa, 2005. The color in life for Diogenes spinicarpus Rahayu and Forest, 1995, Diogenes foresti Rahayu and Hortle, 2002, and Clibanarius bistriatus Rahayu and Forest, 1993 is also reported for the first time. A list of hermit crabs found in northern Halmahera, including its habitat and distribution is presented here. 3 1 Halmahera Maluku Indonesia Nakasone 1988 Osawa 2005 Forest 1995 Hortle 2002 199 here 198 200 19 20 2

Resumen En este trabajo se describe un nuevo género y dos nuevas especies de cangrejos ermitaños fósiles (Anomura, Paguroidea) correspondientes a las cuencas del sur de los Pirineos en la Huesca, noreste de España. Parapetrochirus nov., con P. robustus n. gen., n. sp. como especie tipo procede del Eoceno inferior (Ypresiano) de la Formación Roda. Este fósil preserva ambos quelípedos con una notable heteroquelia, un quelípedo izquierdo más grande y una superficie cóncava sin granulaciones en las porciones superiores internas. Eocalcinus gerardbretoni n. sp., procede de los niveles más altos de la Formación Arguis (Priaboniano) en la localidad de Yeste. Éste se caracteriza por su forma hemisférica y un margen inferior sinuoso de la quela, lo cual difiere de la especie tipo del género. La morfología del quelípedo de estas especies permite su inclusión en las familias Diogenidae y Calcinidae, respectivamente. Los paguroideos fósiles son relativamente raros en el Eoceno de España, por tanto, la descripción de estos dos nuevos taxones fósiles incrementa la diversidad conocida del grupo. Parapetrochirus robustus n. gen., n. sp. habitaba en los sustratos siliciclásticos de ambiente prodelta y E. gerardbretoni n. sp. fue recolectado en los últimos niveles de los rudstones coralinos, justo debajo de la influencia continental de la Formación Yeste-Arrés.

Abstract A new genus and two new species of fossil hermit crabs (Anomura, Paguroidea) are described from the southern Pyrenean basins (Huesca, NE Spain). Parapetrochirus nov. with P. robustus n. gen., n. sp., as type species, comes from the lower Eocene (Ypresian) Roda Formation. It preserves both chelipeds exhibiting a notable heterochely, a larger left cheliped and a concavity without granulation in the inner upper portions. Eocalcinus gerardbretoni n. sp. comes from the highest levels of the Arguis Formation (Priabonian) in Yeste locality. This species is characterized by a hemispherical outline and a sinuous lower margin of the chela, which differs from the type species of the genus. The cheliped morphology of such species allows inclusion in the families Diogenidae and Calcinidae, respectively. Fossil paguroids are relatively rare in the Eocene of Spain, therefore, the description of these two new taxa increases the known diversity of this group. Parapetrochirus robustus n. gen., n. sp. inhabited siliciclastic substrates within a prodelta environment and E. gerardbretoni n. sp. was collected from the last levels of coral rudstones just below the continental influence of Yeste-Arrés Formation.

ABSTRACT Hermit crabs are common and abundant members of the intertidal community and in sublittoral bottoms, where they play a fundamental role in the trophic chain. This study aimed to determine the composition of the hermit crab fauna, to quantify the density in the natural environment, and to register shells use by main species from subtidal boulder fields, in an island off the southeastern Brazilian coast. Monthly samples were taken from March 2010 to February 2011 on boulder fields on Couves Island, Ubatuba, Brazil, during scuba diving daytime sessions. Three hundred and eighty-three crabs were collected by hand, in a quadrat of 20 m2 belonging to five species: Calcinus tibicen, Dardanus venosus, Pagurus brevidactylus, Paguristes tortugae, and Petrochirus diogenes. The highest densities were recorded for P. brevidactylus and P. tortugae. Hermit crabs occupied shells of 15 gastropod species. Cerithium atratum, Gemophos auritulus, and Morula nodulosa comprised more than 80% of the occupation. The heterogeneity of boulder fields of Couves Island, composed almost entirely of small refuges and crevices, favors the exploration of hermit crab species recorded here, which are characterized by small size. These results, combined with the findings of further studies, can contribute to the development of effective monitoring programs for decapod crustacean species.

Abstract Apart from traditional characters, other data have been used for taxonomy, like color patterns. Based on the different colors (green and orange) observed for some Calcinus tibicen (Herbst, 1761) specimens, we evaluated the genetic distance for cytochrome oxidase subunit I mitochondrial gene of individuals collected in Pernambuco (northern Brazil) and in São Paulo (southeast Brazil). We found low genetic variation (0.2-1.1%), and no evidence of isolation on our molecular tree based on genetic distance. We suggest high levels of gene flow between specimens with different color patterns, which are polymorphisms and might be related to the kind of nutrition as well different ecological and evolutionary predation characteristics.

Abstract The goal of this study was to identify patterns of shell occupation by different species of hermit crabs from the southern Brazilian coast. In total, 644 individuals were collected, represented by six hermit species. Isocheles sawayai Forest & Saint Laurent, 1968 showed the highest abundance, with 575 individuals, followed by Loxopagurus loxochelis (Moreira, 1901) (n = 56). The other species were Petrochirus diogenes (Linnaeus, 1758), Dardanus insignis (Saussure, 1858), Pagurus exilis (Benedict, 1892) and Pagurus leptonyx Forest & Saint Laurent, 1968. Loxopagurus loxochelis was found associated with shells of 12 gastropod species, with 75% of males occupying shells of Olivancilaria urceus (Roding, 1798) and 78% of females inhabiting shells of Semicassis granulata (Born, 1778). Shells of Semicassis granulata were the lightest of all gastropod shells, demonstrating differential resource utilization. Additionally, I. sawayai occupied shells of 10 species, highlighting Stramonita haemastoma (Linnaeus, 1767) with the highest occupation percentage in all demographic classes, confirming a pattern of occupation with a strong relationship to the availability of the resource. The comparison of our results with those of other studies corroborated the influence of region and gastropod diversity on gastropod shell occupation.

Se identificaron 12 especies de cangrejos ermitaños del material recolectado en la bahía Chamela, Jalisco. La familia Diogenidae fue la mejor representada con 7 especies. Nueve especies representan registros nuevos para la bahía y 2 pertenecientes al género Paguristes se descubrió que no han sido descritas. Se encontró asociación de los cangrejos ermitaños con conchas de 29 especies de gasterópodos que utilizaban como habitáculo; las conchas más comunes fueron Cantharus sanguinolentus (Duclos, 1833) y Mancinella speciosa (Valenciennes, 1832).

Twelve species of hermit crabs were identified from material recollected in Chamela Bay, Jalisco. The family Diogenidae was the best represented with 7 species. Nine species represent new records for Chamela Bay and 2 species of the genus Paguristes were found to be undescribed. We found an association of hermit crabs with shells used as home in 29 gastropods; the commonest shells used were Cantharus sanguinolentus (Duclos, 1833) and Mancinella speciosa (Valenciennes, 1832).

O presente estudo teve como objetivo verificar de forma comparativa a relação entre ermitões e conchas utilizadas por duas populações de Loxopagurus loxochelis. Foram realizadas coletas mensais, de julho 2002 a junho 2003, nas Enseadas de Caraguatatuba e de Ubatuba, São Paulo, Brasil. Os animais amostrados foram identificados quanto ao sexo, pesados, e mensurados; as conchas de gastrópodes foram identificadas, mensuradas, pesadas e tiveram seu volume interno determinado. Para relacionar as variáveis dos ermitões com as conchas foram utilizadas a análise de componentes principais (PCA) e a árvore de regressão. As três conchas de gastrópodes utilizadas mais intensamente diferiram em tamanho de acordo com a PCA. A árvore de regressão explicou com sucesso a relação entre características do ermitão e volume interno das conchas habitadas. Inferiu-se que a relação entre a morfometria de um ermitão e sua concha não é simples e não é possível de ser explicada com base somente em correlações diretas entre atributos do corpo e da concha. Inúmeros fatores (como morfometria e disponibilidade da concha, condições ambientais e competição inter e intra-específica) interagem e devem ser levados em consideração na escolha de uma concha pelos ermitões, resultando no diversificado padrão de ocupação de conchas demonstrado neste e em outros trabalhos correlatos.

The present study aimed to comparatively verify the relation between the hermit crabs and the shells they use in two populations of Loxopagurus loxochelis. Samples were collected monthly from July 2002 to June 2003, at Caraguatatuba and Ubatuba Bay, São Paulo, Brazil. The animals sampled had their sex identified, were weighed and measured; their shells were identified, measured and weighed, and their internal volume determined. To relate the hermit crab's characteristics and the shells' variables, principal component analysis (PCA) and a regression tree were used. According to the PCA analysis, the three gastropod shells most frequently used by L. loxochelis varied in size. The regression tree successfully explained the relationship between the hermit crab's characteristics and the internal volume of the inhabited shell. It can be inferred that the relationship between the morphometry of an individual hermit crab and its shell is not straightforward and it is impossible to explain only on the basis of direct correlations between the body's and the shell's attributes. Several factors (such as the morphometry and the availability of the shell, environmental conditions and inter- and intraspecific competition) interact and seem to be taken into consideration by the hermit crabs when they choose a shell, resulting in the diversified pattern of shell occupancy shown here and elsewhere.

Durante la expedición INVEMAR-Macrofauna II, realizada en 2001 a lo largo de la plataforma y franja superior del talud continental del Caribe colombiano, a profundidades entre 20 y 500 m, se colectaron ejemplares de 22 especies de cangrejos ermitaños, distribuidos en una superfamilia y cuatro familias. Dentro de la superfamilia Paguroidea, la familia Paguridae fue la más abundante y rica con 13 especies, seguida de la familia Diogenidae con seis especies; la Parapaguridae estuvo representada por dos especies y un único ejemplar del género Trizocheles de la familia Pylochelidae, lo que representa el primer registro de esta familia en la región. Se colectaron además, cinco morfotipos no identificados de los géneros Paguristes, Enneobranchus e Iridopagurus. Con base en el material colectado se determinó un patrón de distribución batimétrico que revela agregaciones entre especies en dos estratos de profundidad (20 - 150 m y 300 - 500 m). Las especies del estrato superior presentaron un patrón de distribución geográfico aparentemente controlado por las descargas del río Magdalena, en contraste no se presentó ningún patrón de distribución para las especies del estrato inferior.

During the expedition INVEMAR-Macrofauna II, made in 2001 throughout the continental shelf and upper continental slope of the Colombian Caribbean coast, between 20 and 500 m depth, 22 species of hermit crabs distributed in one superfamily and four families, were collected. Within the superfamily Paguroidea, the family Paguridae was the most abundant and diverse with 13 species, six species belong to family Diogenidae; the Parapaguridae was represented by two species and one species of the genus Trizocheles of the family Pylochelidae represents the first report of this family from this coast. In addition, five undetermined species of the genera Paguristes, Enneobranchus, and Iridopagurus, were also collected. Based on the collected material, the bathymetric distributions reveal species aggregation in two depth ranges (20 - 150 m and 300 - 500 m). The upper strata species show a geographic distribution pattern, seemingly related to the influence of the Magdalena river; by contrast, the species from the deeper range do not reveal any particular distribution pattern.

Recientes trabajos de campo (Junio de 2008) en las calizas arrecifales cercanas a la localidad de Alsasua, Navarra (Norte de España) han proporcionado el hallazgo de una nueva especie de cangrejo ermitaño diogénido, Annuntidiogenes worn n. sp., estrechamente relacionado con la especie tipo del género, A. ruizdegaonai Fraaije et al., 2008, del Monte Orobe, en depósitos adscritos al Cretácico medio (Albiense-Cenomaniense). El nuevo ejemplar es el tercer registro de un caparazón de pagúrido preservado en depósitos del Cretácico.

Recent fieldwork (June 2008) in the reefal limestones near Alsasua, Navarra (northern Spain) has resulted in the discovery of a new species of diogenid hermit crab, Annuntidiogenes wotfi sp. nov., which appears closely related to the type species of the genus, A. ruizdegaonai Fraaije et al., 2008, from Monte Orobe and also of mid-Cretaceous (Albian-Cenomanian) age. The new specimen represents only the third paguroid carapace of Cretaceous age to be described and formally named.

The present study determined the distribution pattern of the hermit crab Loxopagurus loxochelis by a comparison of catch, depth and environmental factors at two separate bays (Caraguatatuba and Ubatuba) of São Paulo State, Brazil. The influence of these parameters on the distribution of males, non-ovigerous females and ovigerous females was also evaluated. Crabs were collected monthly, over a period of one year (from July/2002 to June/2003), in seven depths, from 5 to 35 m. Abiotic factors were monitored as follows: superficial and bottom salinity (psu), superficial and bottom temperature (°C), organic matter content (%) and sediment composition (%). In total, 366 hermit crabs were sampled in Caraguatatuba and 126 in Ubatuba. The highest frequency of occurrence was verified at 20 m during winter (July) in Caraguatatuba and 25 m during summer (January) in Ubatuba. The highest occurrences were recorded in the regions with bottom salinities ranging from 34 to 36 psu, bottom temperatures from 18 to 24°C and, low percentages of organic matter, gravel and mud; and large proportion of sand in the substrate. There was no significant correlation between the total frequency of organisms and the environmental factors analyzed in both regions. This evidence suggests that other variables as biotic interactions can influence the pattern of distribution of L. loxochelis in the analyzed region, which is considered the limit of the northern distribution of this species.

El presente estudio determinó el patrón de distribución del cangrejo ermitaño Loxopagurus loxochelis por medio una comparación de la captura, profundidad y factores ambientales en dos bahías separadas (Caraguatatuba y Ubatuba) del estado de São Paulo, Brasil. También se evaluó la influencia de parámetros medioambientales sobre la distribución de machos, hembras y hembras ovígeras. Los cangrejos se recolectaron mensualmente en las dos áreas de estudio, durante un año (julio de 2002 a junio de 2003), en siete profundidades, entre 5 y 35 m. Se registraron los factores abióticos: salinidad (psu) y temperatura (°C) en la superficie así como en el fondo, contenido de materia orgánica (%) y composición del sedimento (%). Se recolectó un total de 366 cangrejos en Caraguatatuba y 126 en Ubatuba. La mayor frecuencia de individos se obtuvo a una profundidad de 20 m en Caraguatatuba durante el invierno (julio) y a una profundidad de 25 m en Ubatuba durante el verano (enero). Las mayores frecuencias se registraron en áreas con salinidades entre 34 y 36 psu en el fondo, temperaturas entre 18 y 24°C también en el fondo y sustratos con bajos porcentajes de materia orgánica, grava y lodo, así como con altas proporciones de arena. No se encontró correlación significativa entre la frecuencia total de organismos y los factores medioambientales analizados en ninguna de las dos regiones. Estos resultados sugieren que algún otro factor ambiental o interacción biótica podría ser responsable de los patrones de distribución de L. loxochelis en las regiones estudiadas, consideradas zonas limítrofes de la distribución norte del cangrejo ermitaño.

O presente estudo teve como objetivo caracterizar a ocupação de conchas por ermitões no litoral da cidade de Rio Grande, Estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Os animais foram amostrados em 14 radiais em Rio Grande, entre 12 e 50 metros de profundidade. Cada ermitão e sua respectiva concha foram identificados, pesados e medidos. Um total de 408 animais foi capturado, pertencentes às famílias Diogenidae e Paguridae; as duas espécies mais abundantes foram Dardanus insignis (de Saussure, 1858) e Loxopagurus loxochelis (Moreira, 1901). Os ermitões ocuparam conchas de 13 espécies de gastrópodes, principalmente de Buccinanops lamarckii (Kiener, 1834) e B. gradatum (Deshayes, 1844). Dardanus insignis utilizou 12 das 13 espécies de moluscos registradas; Loxopagurus loxochelis utilizou nove. De um modo geral, o padrão de ocupação de conchas apresenta uma correlação entre o tamanho do ermitão e o tamanho da concha; no caso das duas espécies de ermitões mais abundantes, a maior correlação foi entre peso/tamanho do animal e o tamanho da abertura da concha, evidenciando, que a ocupação de conchas se dá não apenas pela disponibilidade local das mesmas, mas também pelas relações entre as variáveis dos ermitões e das conchas de gastrópodes.

The present study aimed to characterize the shell occupation by hermit crabs at the Rio Grande city, state of Rio Grande do Sul. Animals were sampled at 14 radials in Rio Grande, between 12 and 50 meters depth. Each hermit crab and its respective shell were identified, weighted and measured. A total of 408 animals were captured, of families Paguridae and Diogenidae; the most abundant species were Dardanus insignis (de Saussure, 1858) and Loxopagurus loxochelis (Moreira, 1901). The animals occupied shells from 13 gastropod species, mainly of Buccinanops lamarckii (Kiener, 1834) and B. gradatum (Deshayes, 1844). Dardanus insignis utilized shells from 12 of the 13 mollusks species registered; L. loxochelis from nine ones. In a general way, the shell occupation patterns present a correlation between the hermit crab size and the shell size, in the case of the two most abundant species the strongest correlation was between their size/weight and shell aperture width, evidencing that shells occupation is given not only by their local availability, but also by the relationship between hermit crabs variables and gastropod shells.

A estrutura populacional do ermitão Loxopagurus loxochelis (Moreira, 1901) foi analisada por meio da distribuição de freqüência dos animais em classes de tamanho e da razão sexual. Espécimes foram coletados mensalmente no período de um ano (julho de 2002 a junho de 2003), em sete transectos (5 aos 35 m de profundidade), usando barco equipado com duas redes do tipo double-rig, nas enseadas de Caraguatatuba e de Ubatuba (Estado de São Paulo, Brasil). Em Caraguatatuba foram coletados 366 animais, sendo 222 machos (60,65%), 114 fêmeas não-ovígeras (31,15%) e 30 fêmeas ovígeras (8,20%) e, em Ubatuba, 126 ermitões, dos quais 81 machos (64,28%), 38 fêmeas não-ovígeras (30,16%) e sete fêmeas ovígeras (5,56%). Em Caraguatatuba, a alta incidência de fêmeas ovígeras ocorreu durante o inverno (julho de 2002), enquanto em Ubatuba, o número foi incipiente. O comprimento do escudo cefalotorácico variou de 2,0 a 7,9mm (5,29 ± 0,96mm) em Caraguatatuba, e em Ubatuba, de 2,7 a 7,5 mm (5,32 ± 0,95mm). A média de tamanho dos machos foi significativamente maior do que das fêmeas em ambas as áreas. A razão sexual total foi favorável aos machos (1,54:1 em Caraguatatuba e 1,9:1 em Ubatuba). Houve maior freqüência de machos nas últimas classes de tamanho, acompanhando os padrões observados em decápodes e evidenciando a existência de dimorfismo sexual em L. loxochelis. A distribuição de freqüência total foi unimodal para ambos os sexos, nas duas áreas. A presença de um número maior de machos em relação a fêmeas pode ser indício de que existam diferentes taxas de crescimento e de mortalidade entre os sexos, além de distribuição espacial diferencial entre estes. Apesar das diferentes características geomorfológicas entre as regiões de Caraguatatuba e Ubatuba, foi observada uma dinâmica de desenvolvimento similar para ambas as populações.

This work characterized the population structure of the hermit crab Loxopagurus loxochelis (Moreira, 1901) in terms of size frequency distribution and sex ratio. Specimens were collected monthly, over a period of one year (from july 2002 to june 2003), in seven transects (from 5 to 35 m of depth) using fishing boat equipped with two double-rig trawl nets, in Caraguatatuba and Ubatuba regions (state of São Paulo, Brazil). A total of 366 hermit crabs were collected in Caraguatatuba [222 males (60.65%), 114 non-ovigerous females (31.15%) and 30 ovigerous females (8.20%)] and 126 hermit crabs in Ubatuba [81 males (64.28%), 38 non-ovigerous females (30.16%) and seven ovigerous females (5.56%)]. In Caraguatatuba the highest incidence of ovigerous females occurred during winter (july 2002), whereas in Ubatuba, the number was incipient. The cephalothoracic shield length ranged from 2.0 to 7.9mm (5.29 ± 0.96mm) in Caraguatatuba, and from 2.7 to 7.5mm (5.32 ± 0.95mm) in Ubatuba. The mean size of males was significantly larger than the mean size of females in both regions. Overall sex ratio was in favor of males (1.54:1 in Caraguatatuba and 1.9:1 in Ubatuba). Sexual dimorphism was recorded to L. loxochelis by the presence of males in the largest size classes, following the standard pattern observed in Decapoda. There was an unimodal size distribution for both sexes, with normal distributions in both regions. The higher number of males in relation to females may indicate the existence of different growth and mortality rates between the sexes. Despite of the different geomorphologic characteristics between Caraguatatuba and Ubatuba regions, the dynamics of development was similar for both populations.

Os estudos sobre a biologia dos ermitões no Atlântico sul ocidental são escassos considerando-se a biodiversidade local. O presente trabalhou caracterizou a população do ermitão Paguristes calliopsis Forest and Saint Laurent, 1968 quanto à distribuição de freqüência de tamanho dos indivíduos, ao sex-ratio, e a ocupação das conchas no ambiente natural. Os exemplares foram coletados por mergulho autônomo na região infralitoral da Ilha Anchieta. Um total de 116 indivíduos foi analisado. O tamanho do comprimento do escudo cefalotorácico (mínimo; máximo; média ± sd, respectivamente) dos indivíduos variou de: 0.8; 4.5; 2.76 ± 0.79 mm para machos e 2.28 ± 0.36 mm para fêmeas. O sex-ratio foi de 1.47:1 em favor dos machos, sendo estes os que prevaleceram nas maiores classes de tamanho. Os ermitões ocuparam conchas de 11 espécies de gastrópodes sendo Cerithium atratum (Born 1778) significativamente a concha mais ocupada (75.86%). Não foram obtidas correlações significativas em todas as análises de regressão, demonstrando diferenças entre os grupos sexuais quanto a adequação das conchas ocupadas. Na área estudada a população de P. calliopsis pode ser considerada pequena quando comparada com as outras populações coexistentes. O padrão de utilização de conchas variou em função da disponibilidade destas e da competição interespecífica.

In southern Atlantic studies on hermit crab biology are scanty considering the local biodiversity. In this way, some population features of Paguristes calliopsis Forest and Saint Laurent, 1968 such as size frequency distribution, sex ratio and shell occupation in the natural environment were studied. Specimens were collected by means of scuba methods in the infralittoral area of the Anchieta Island. A total of 116 individuals were analyzed. Size measurements (minimum; maximum; mean shield length ± sd, respectively) were 0.8; 4.5; 2.76 ± 0.79 mm for males and 2.28 ± 0.36 mm for females. The sex ratio was 1.47:1 in favor of males which prevailed in the largest size classes. The hermit crabs occupied shells from eleven gastropod species and Cerithium atratum (Born 1778) was significantly the most occupied one (75.86%). Significant correlations were not obtained in all regression analysis, demonstrating sexual differences on fitting of the occupied shells. In the studied area P. calliopsis population is small if compared with the other hermit crab populations. The shell utilization varies as a function of shell availability and hermit crabs interspecific competition, in relation to the other coexistent species.

O comportamento reprodutivo de quatro espécies de caranguejos ermitões entremarés [Clibanarius antillensis Stimpson, 1859, C. sclopetarius (Herbst, 1796), C. vittatus (Bosc, 1802) e Pagurus criniticornis (Dana, 1852)] foi estudado no Canal de São Sebastião, sudeste brasileiro. O comportamento geral destas espécies seguiu descrições prévias para ermitões das famílias Diogenidae e Paguridae mas algumas diferenças foram registradas. Encontros agonísticos entre machos para disputar fêmeas e o comportamento de guarda foram mais comuns a C. sclopetarius, C. vittatus e Pagurus criniticornis. Durante a guarda os machos claramente tocavam os quelípodos, pedúnculos oculares e as margens da abertura das conchas das fêmeas. Este comportamento de guardar e, simultaneamente, estimular as fêmeas em uma posição oblíqua (OGAP) nunca havia sido registrado e, no presente estudo, foi mais conspícuo em C. sclopetarius e C. vittatus. Pagurus criniticornis não apresentou o comportamento típico da família Paguridae denominado "jerking" (machos sacudindo as fêmeas). Cópulas múltiplas em um mesmo par foram registradas para todas as espécies enquanto apenas em uma ocasião uma fêmea de C. vittatus foi copulada por dois machos diferentes. Após a cópula os machos continuavam segurando as fêmeas por algum tempo até que elas eram deixadas inativas e, em algumas vezes, totalmente ou parcialmente enterradas no substrato. Os machos foram maiores que as fêmeas nos pares que acasalaram em todas as espécies estudadas e dois indivíduos (de um total de 23) de C. antillensis, um (de 5) de C. sclopetarius e um (de 3) de C. vittatus, que acasalaram com sucesso fertilizando os ovos das fêmeas, foram identificados como intersexo, com gonóporos tanto maculinos quanto femininos.

The reproductive behavior of four intertidal hermit crab species [Clibanarius antillensis Stimpson, 1859, C. sclopetarius (Herbst, 1796), C. vittatus (Bosc, 1802), and Pagurus criniticornis (Dana, 1852)] was studied in São Sebastião Channel, southeastern Brazil. The overall behavior followed previous descriptions for Diogenid and Pagurid hermit crabs but some particular differences were recorded. Male to male agonistic encounters over females and guarding behavior were more common to C. sclopetarius, C. vittatus, and Pagurus criniticornis. During guarding, males clearly grasped females' chelipeds, eyestalks, and the margins of their shell apertures. This oblique guarding and, simultaneously, accessing behavior (OGAP) has never been described for hermit crabs and was more common to C. sclopetarius and C. vittatus. Pagurus criniticornis did not present the typical jerking behavior of pagurids. Multiple copulations between a single pair were recorded in all species while in only one occasion a female of C. vittatus was observed copulating with two males. In the post-copulatory behavior males held females for some time and, after that, they were left inactive and sometimes totally to partially buried in the substrate. In mating pairs of all species males were larger than females and two individuals (out of 23) of C. antillensis, one (out of 5) of C. sclopetarius and one (out of 3) of C. vittatus, which courted successfully as males fertilizing females' eggs, were demonstrated to be intersex, with both male and female gonopores.

The present work was conducted to determine the distribution of Loxopagurus loxochelis collected monthly, over a period of one year, in Ubatuba Bay (from September/95 to August/96). A total of 179 specimens were collected (138 males, 30 females and 11 ovigerous females). The greatest depth, predominance of very fine sand and highest mean value of organic matter contents of sediment, in combination with the low temperatures registered in winter (July and August), determined the presence of L. loxochelis in the subarea located at the Ubatuba Bay mouth, exposed to the open sea with high water current energy, important because this position insures that spawned larvae will enter into the oceanic circulation

Se realizó un estudio de la distribución espacial y temporal de la especie Loxopagurus loxochelis, en función de algunos factores abióticos, en la ensenada de Ubatuba, Brasil. Las capturas fueron realizadas con una red de arrastre mensualmente, entre Septiembre de 1995 y Agosto de 1996, en ocho transectos determinados previamente. Se obtuvieron un total de 179 individuos 138 machos, 30 hembras y 11 hembras ovígeras. La combinación de algunos factores fueron determinantes del alto número de individuos capturados en el área externa da la ensenada, la cual sufre la influencia de las corrientes marinas favorables a la dispersión de las larvas. Estos factores fueron la profundidad, el diámetro de la arena, la concentración de materia orgánica y la temparatura