Larval Settlement and the Reproductive Phenology of Sympathric Hermit Crabs in Temperate Waters

AbstractThe problem of the coexistence of closely related species of Paguroidea (Decapoda: Anomura) and the main mechanisms of structuring the communities of these species in sympatry are discussed: differential use of habitats, competition for resources, and physiological resistance to abiotic factors. It is thought that the competition for gastropod shells among hermit crabs may be particularly high at the larval settlement stage. This review discusses the peculiarities of larval settlement, reproductive phenology, and differences in reproductive characteristics of hermit crabs, which allow sympatric species in temperate waters to reduce the competition for shell resource in the early life stages.