THE EFFECTS OF SHELL SIZE AND SHAPE ON GROWTH AND FORM IN THE HERMIT CRABPAGURUS LONGICARPUS

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Abstract
P. longicarpus from 2 geographic locations were raised in the same environment in 3 spp. of gastropod shell. These shell species differed in shape and maximum size. Crabs in small, high-spired shells attained smaller sizes than those in large, low-spired shells. The relative growth rates of male crabs showed differences related to shell differences. Males in small, high-spired shells produced relatively longer claws and greater right/left claw asymmetry than males in large, low-spired shells. The close interaction between hermit crabs and utilized shells is shown and may explain the geographic variation of P. longicarpus. Along the Atlantic coast, southern crabs are smaller and have relatively longer claws and greater right/left claw asymmetry than northern crabs. Southern crabs use small, high-spired shells almost entirely; northern crabs use a high proportion of large, low-spired shells. Size and shape differences between geographic populations of P. longicarpus may be due to differences in inhabited shells.

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