Daytime Activity and Habitat Preferences of two Sympatric Hermit Crab Species (Decapoda: Anomura: Coenobita)

Abstract

The beach environment is extremely dynamic in space and time. Abiotic factors like tides, sun exposure or sediment structure are defining the ecology of the beach-associated fauna. Among the most common beach-dwelling organisms of tropical and subtropical shores are the hermit crabs of the genus Coenobita (Decapoda: Anomura). They utilize gastropod shells to protect against predators, to avoid desiccation and disruption by wave action and further show behavioural adaptations, like burrowing in the substratum to withstand the abiotic stressors of coasts.