Abstract The aim of this study was to characterize the pattern of gastropod shell occupation in the field and selection of shell size and type under laboratory conditions by the hermit crab Pagurus criniticornis (Dana, 1852), inhabiting the infralittoral area of Anchieta Island, São Paulo, Brazil. Hermit crabs were obtained monthly during 1999 by SCUBA diving. For experiments under laboratory conditions, samplings were performed in 2002. The hermit crabs occupied 16 species of gastropods shells. Cerithium atratum (Born, 1778) was the most occupied shell (89.31%), followed by Morula nodulosa (4.73%) (Adams, 1845). No difference was observed in the pattern of occupation between males and females. The equations that best demonstrated the relationship between hermit crabs and their shells were those that involved Shell Wet Weight (SWW) and Shell Internal Volume (SIV). The laboratory experiments were in accordance to the pattern of occupation observed in the field; the mean value of SAI (Shell Adequacy Index) recorded to the population studied was 1.13 with a trend to increase this value in the last size classes. The results obtained corroborate with the hypothesis of the occupation process of shells governed not only by availability of shells, but also by its architecture. In addition, the shell stock in the area is one another important condition related to the exhibited pattern of shell occupation by P. criniticornis, and allows the stable coexistence among the island assemblage. The pattern of occupation observed promotes a high reproductive profile for the population studied, maximizing the populational growth.

A população do ermitão Pagurus criniticornis (Dana, 1872) foi avaliada com base na abundância sazonal, distribuição da freqüência de tamanho, razão sexual, período reprodutivo, fecundidade e relação com a concha ocupada. Os espécimes foram coletados mensalmente por meio de mergulho autônomo no infralitoral da Ilha Anchieta, Ubatuba. Um total de 1.017 indivíduos foi analisado. O tamanho dos animais (comprimento mínimo e máximo do escudo cefalotorácico, respectivamente) foi de 0,7 e 2,9 mm para os machos, 0,6 e 2,8 mm para as fêmeas não ovígeras e 1,0 e 2,5 mm para as fêmeas ovígeras. A razão sexual foi de 1:1,29. Foi observado dimorfismo sexual em função da presença de machos nas maiores classes de tamanho. Fêmeas ovígeras foram capturadas em todos os meses do ano, com a porcentagem variando de 8% (Julho) a 84,3% (Fevereiro) em relação ao total de fêmeas coletadas. A fecundidade média foi de 168 ± 125 ovos e tendeu a ser maior com o aumento do tamanho do ermitão. Fêmeas ovígeras de P. criniticornis foram encontradas ocupando quatro espécies de conchas de gastrópodes [Cerithium atratum (Born, 1778), Morula nodulosa (Adams, 1845), Anachis lyrata (Sowerby, 1832) e Modulus modulus (Linnaeus, 1758)] no entanto, a fecundidade não foi significativamente diferente em relação aos diferentes tipos de conchas. A população de P. criniticornis apresentou um perfil reprodutivo contínuo e intenso, possivelmente relacionado a estratégias de desenvolvimento que compensam a competição interespecífica existente na área de estudo.

The population of the hermit crab Pagurus criniticornis (Dana, 1852) was studied based on seasonal abundance, size frequency distribution, sex ratio, reproductive period, fecundity and shell relationship. Specimens were collected monthly by SCUBA diving in the infralittoral area of Anchieta Island, Ubatuba. A total of 1,017 individuals was analyzed. Animal size (minimum and maximum shield length, respectively) was 0.7 and 2.9 mm for males, 0.6 and 2.8 mm for non-ovigerous females, and 1.0 and 2.5 mm for ovigerous females. The sex ratio was 1:1.29. Sexual dimorphism was recorded by the presence of males in the largest size classes. Ovigerous females were captured during all months along the year, with percentages varying from 8% (July) to 84.3% (February) in relation to the total females collected. Mean ± SD fecundity was 168 ± 125 eggs and tended to increase with increasing hermit size. Shells of four gastropod species [Cerithium atratum (Born, 1778), Morula nodulosa (Adams, 1845), Anachis lyrata (Sowerby, 1832) and Modulus modulus (Linnaeus, 1758)] were occupied by ovigerous females of P. criniticornis but fecundity was not significantly different in relation to the different shell types. The profile showed continuous and intense reproduction of P. criniticornis probably related to strategies developed to compensate for interspecific competition in the studied insular area.

This study aimed to determine the shell choice pattern of the southern Atlantic endemic hermit crab Loxopagurus loxochelis from two different biogeographic provinces in Brazil and Argentina. Size and shell species preferences were determined for the two most occupied shell types (i.e., Olivancillaria urceus and Buccinanops gradatum) in Caraguatatuba region (Brazil) and in Mar del Plata (Argentina). Shell occupation was analyzed considering the biometric characteristics of shells, the occurrence of shell types, and the preference of the hermit crabs for the most frequently occupied shell species. Samples were taken using otter trawl in the infralittoral area of both regions and the animals captured were measured and weighed. Shells were identified, weighed, measured and their internal volume calculated. Experiments were accomplished in aquaria where the hermit crabs were allocated together with a sufficient number of adequate sized shells. In laboratory, L. loxochelis from Argentina presented no preference for any of the two offered shell species, while the specimens from Brazil significantly preferred B. gradatum shells. It was observed that the relation between shell dimensions and shell weight were the variables that best explained the association between hermit crabs and shells. Considering that Argentinean specimens are larger than the Brazilian ones we may infer that body size is a relevant factor to explain the observed differences found in relation to shell type preference

Este estudio tuvo por objetivo determinar la forma de elección de conchas de caracoles por el cangrejo ermitaño endémico del Atlántico sudoccidental Loxopagurus loxochelis proveniente de dos provincias biogeográficas de Brasil y Argentina. Se determinaron las tallas y las preferencias de conchas entre los dos tipos de caracoles más ocupados (Olivancillaria urceus y Buccinanops gradatum) en la región de Caraguatatuba (Brazil) y en Mar del Plata (Argentina). La composición de las conchas fue analizada por las características biométricas y ocurrencia de los tipos de conchas y la selección por la preferencia del cangrejo ermitaño en relación a la especie de concha más ocupada. Las muestras fueron tomadas usando redes de arrastre en las áreas infralitorales de ambas regiones y los animales capturados fueron medidos y pesados. Las conchas de caracoles fueron identificadas, pesadas, medidas y calculado el volumen interno. Las experiencias fueron realizadas en acuarios donde los cangrejos ermitaños fueron ubicados con un número suficiente y adecuado de conchas de caracoles. En el laboratorio, L. loxochelis de Argentina no presentaron diferencias entre las dos especies de conchas ofrecidas, mientras los especímenes de Brasil prefirieron conchas de B. gradatum en forma significativa. Se observó que las relaciones de las dimensiones y los pesos de las conchas fueron aquellas que mejor reflejaron la asociación con los cangrejos ermitaños. Teniendo en consideración que los especímenes de Argentina fueron más grandes, se puede inferir que ello puede ser uno de los factores influenciando en las diferencias por las preferencias de los tipos de conchas halladas

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.

This study aimed to assess the spatial and seasonal distribution of the hermit crab Pagurus exilis in Caraguatatuba region, characterizing the abundance and distribution of individuals seasonally and bathymetrically. The relationship between groups of individuals and environmental factors (temperature, salinity, depth, amount of organic matter and texture of sediment) was checked. Sampling was carried out monthly from July 2001 to June 2003, at seven depths (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 m), with a shrimp fishery boat equipped with two double-rigged trawling nets. A total of 1960 specimens of P. exilis were collected, including 1369 (69.9%) males, 304 (15.5%) non-ovigerous females and 287 (14.6%) ovigerous females. The individuals were distributed between 15 and 35 m and were absent at 5 m. A large amount of individuals was collected (40.6%) during winter and 57.8% of ovigerous females were also captured in the same period. Pagurus exilis tended to occur in association with a group of factors composed by: higher depths (15 to 35 m), higher salinity (34 to 37 psu), lower temperature (18 to 24ºC), and sediment of organic matter varying from 1 to 9%.

Este estudio tuvo por objetivo determinar la distribución espacial y temporal del cangrejo ermitaño Pagurus exilis en la región de Caraguatatuba, caracterizando la abundancia y distribución en función de la estación del año y profundidad. Se determinaron las relaciones entre los individuos y algunos factores abióticos (temperatura, salinidad, profundidad, concentración de materia orgánica y textura del sedimento). Las capturas fueron realizadas mensualmente, entre julio de 2001 y junio de 2003, en siete profundidades (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 y 35 m), utilizando dos redes de arrastres. Se obtuvo un total de 1960 individuos de P. exilis, incluyendo 1369 (69,9%) machos, 304 (15,5%) hembras no ovígeras y 287 (14,6%) hembras ovígeras. Los animales estuvieron distribuidos entre 15 y 35 m de profundidad y ausentes en 5 m. La mayor cantidad de individuos (40,6%) fue obtenida durante el invierno y así como 57,8% de las hembras ovígeras. La presencia de Pagurus exilis parece estar relacionada con la combinación de algunos factores abioticos tales como profundidad (15 y 35 m), alta salinidad (34 a 37 psu), temperatura baja (18 a 24ºC), y concentración de materia orgánica entre 1 y 9%.

O objetivo do presente estudo foi caracterizar a composição dos caranguejos Majoidea habitantes do infralitoral rochoso/arenoso da Ilha Anchieta (Ubatuba), litoral norte do Estado de São Paulo. Os caranguejos foram coletados mensalmente durante 1999 e 2000, por mergulho autônomo e armadilhas. Foi registrada a ocorrência de oito espécies de caranguejos majóideos (Epialtus brasiliensis, Mithraculus forceps, Mithrax braziliensis, Mithrax hispidus, Mithrax tortugae, Pelia rotunda, Pitho lherminieri e Stenorhynchus seticornis) o que corresponde a 24,2% do total de majóideos registrados para o litoral do Estado de São Paulo. Mithraculus forceps, Mithrax tortugae e Stenorhynchus seticornis constituem populações frequentes na comunidade da área de estudo. A taxoeconose da área foi dominada por M. foreceps (57,62%). A ocorrência de Mithrax braziliensis no presente estudo amplia sua distribuição sul para o Estado de São Paulo.

The aim of the present study was to characterize the composition of Majoidea crabs inhabiting the infralittoral rocky/sandy bottom of Anchieta Island (Ubatuba), from north coast of São Paulo State. Crabs were collected monthly during 1999 and 2000 by using SCUBA and cages. The occurrence of eight species of majoids (Epialtus brasiliensis, Mithraculus forceps, Mithrax braziliensis, Mithrax hispidus, Mithrax tortugae, Pelia rotunda, Pitho lherminieri and Stenorhynchus seticornis) was registered and corresponded to 24.2% of total of majid crabs recorded in the coast of São Paulo State. Mithraculus forceps, Mithrax tortugae and Stenorhynchus seticornis were most abundant in samples and constituted populations that belonged to the brachyuran community of the studied area. The taxocoenosis of the area was dominated by M. forceps (57.62%). The occurrence of Mithrax braziliensis in the present study enlarged its south distribution to the São Paulo State.