Choice and competition: Their effects on occupancy of Shell Homes byOctopus joubini

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Abstract
Observations of Octopus joubin's home choices in the laboratory and home occupancy in the field sometimes give conflicting results. In the laboratory octopuses choose shells of a specific size range, with a small opening and little light access. They also choose empty Gastropod shells over Bivalve ones. In the field they are normally found in Bivalve shells (Trachycardium cockles). This is partly a result of competition for Gastropods by hermit crabs and Bleniid fishes. Laboratory studies show that these competitors can only be supplanted half the time ; octopuses’ shelter occupancy is shaped both by choice and by competition.