Patterns in the use of gastropod shells by hermit crabs were examined for a complex of hermit crabs inhabiting the Alligator Harbor region of Florida. To assess field use patterns, two sampling techniques, a straight-line transect method and a predation site method, were used. The transect method yielded large animals in relatively undamaged shells of a few gastropod genera, and the results were influenced by habitat. The predation site method yielded a wide size range of individuals in damaged shells of many gastropod species. / Simulated gastropod predation sites attract a variety of hermit crabs. Experiments with simulated predation sites revealed that chemical cues are necessary for location of newly liberated shells. Attraction to a simulated predation site is species specific for hermit crabs and is directly related to the genus of gastropod flesh at the site. In addition, there is a significant positive correlation between amount of flesh at a site and size of crab attracted. These results are discussed in terms of spatial and temporal patterns of hermit crab shell acquisition. / Regardless of the collection method, however, shell use patterns have been evaluated by using empirically derived measures of shell adequacy. Shell adequacy or shell fit has been inferred by using two indices; the shell adequacy index and the utilization efficiency index. Both indices contain statistical biases which render the interpretation of the indices ambiguous. I conclude by describing field and laboratory experiments which demonstrate that determination of shell adequacy is a complex problem which cannot be assessed by simple methods. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 43-06, Section: B, page: 1721. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1982.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_74863 |
| Contributors | GILCHRIST, SANDRA LAYNE., Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | 148 p. |
| Rights | On campus use only. |
| Relation | Dissertation Abstracts International |
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