Home > GCR > Vol. 8 > Iss. 2 (1989)
Alternate Title
Invertebrates Associated with the Thinstripe Hermit Clibanarius vittatus (Bosc) (Crustacea: Decapoda: Diogenidae) from the Barrier Islands of Mississippi
Document Type
Short Communication
Abstract
Hermit crabs, the gastropod shells that they inhabit, and associated epifauna constitute a motile microhabitat. Twenty-three macroscopic. epifaunal invertebrates were associated with the diogenid crab Clibanarius vittatus in Mississippi coastal waters. Epibiotic growth may discourage predation of the crab, reduce competition for the shells, or provide an advantage in agonistic shell interaction. In addition, the shell provides a hard substrate for settling and attachment of epifauna in an area that is largely devoid of hard substrate. Reduced sedimentation and prevention of shell burial, improved food availability, transport, and protection from predation may also be advantageous to the epizoans.
First Page
213
Last Page
217
DOI Link
Recommended Citation
Bruce, L.
1989.
Invertebrates Associated with the Thinstripe Hermit Clibanarius vittatus (Bosc) (Crustacea: Decapoda: Diogenidae) from the Barrier Islands of Mississippi.
Gulf Research Reports
8
(2):
213-217.
Retrieved from https://aquila.usm.edu/gcr/vol8/iss2/12
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18785/grr.0802.12
