Abstract
The population of the hermit crab Diogenes pugilator is numerically quite substantial in the examined area, therefore it is analysed if the population was subject to any pressure by predators and by other species of hermit crabs living in that zone. It was found there is a potential pressure by predators which might influence it. Only Liocarcinus depurator is able to keep the population trend of D. pugilator under control. With regard to the relationships with the other species of hermit crab, D. pugilator dominates only over Pagurus anachoretus, while in the other cases, there was just competition for food.
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Tirelli, T., Dappiano, M., Maiorana, G. et al. Intraspecific relationships of the hermit crab Diogenes pugilator: predation and competition. Hydrobiologia 439, 43–48 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1004197518769
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1004197518769