Population ecology of the sand-dwelling hermit crab Diogenes nitidimanus. IV. Larval settlement

Abstract

Newly settled crabs were found from mid-August to the beginning of December, and peak settlement occurred in September. Crabs settled near the water level of extreme low water spring tide (ELWS) in the study area, where small, vacant shells were abundant. The recently settled crabs were not found on the upper flat (1 m above ELWS) or in the subtidal zone 5 m below ELWS, despite the abundance of small shells at those locations. Shortage of small shells may limit the settlement of hermit crabs -from Author