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Relationship of Porcellidiid Copepods Associated with Blueband Hermit Crabs

AJAS · 2019 Animal Sciences (inferred)

Jade Morris · Southern California Academy of Sciences

Overview

The symbiotic relationship between copepods belonging to the family Porcellidiidae and their hermit crab hosts in the eastern Pacific remains poorly known. The present study marks a two-year investigation into the prevalence and intensity of an unidentified species of porcellidiid copepod associated with the blueband hermit crab (Pagurus samuelis). Three sites along the Palos Verdes Peninsula were studied in Year 1 (Malaga Cove, Point Fermin, and Cabrillo Outer Beach). In the second year, three additional localities were added (Golden Cove, Founders Park, White Point). From October 2016 to February 2018, we sampled 800 hermit crabs dwelling in a variety of gastropod shells. The number of symbiotic copepods was recorded along with the presence of an additional symbiont, the gastropod Crepidula williamsi, living inside the host shell. The overall prevalence and mean intensity of copepods remains significantly higher at Point Fermin (71.7%, 9.0) compared to Cabrillo Outer Beach (16.2%, 6.0), Golden Cove (13.0%, 4.2), Founders Park (13.0%, 11.5), White Point (6.0%, 1.2), or Malaga Cove (0%, 0) (Fisher’s Exact, p<0.0001). Seasonal variability in copepod prevalence and mean intensity varied at Point Fermin in particular (Fisher’s Exact, p<0.0001). Further, a significant relationship was observed between the intensity of copepods and the presence of limpets (Pearson Correlation = 0.543, p<0.001). The results of this two-year study reveal greater insight into the ecology of porcellidiid copepods on hermit crab hosts in the eastern Pacific.

Competition history

  • AJAS 2019 Category not listed

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Source: AAAS Annual Meeting (Confex) / American Junior Academy of Science

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