The plastic homes of hermit crabs in the Anthropocene

• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168959
• Publication Date: 2024-01-06T03:53:20Z
• Authors: Zuzanna Jagiello; Łukasz Dylewski; Marta Szulkin
• Keywords: Hermit crab; Camouflage; Ocypodidae; Lightness; Anthropocene

Plastic is the most pervasive element of marine waste, with harmful impact on wildlife. By using iEcology (i.e., internet Ecology, use online data sources as a new tool in ecological research), we report emergence novel behaviour hermit crabs related to plastic or other anthropogenic materials protective shells. We analysed images posted social media identify 386 individuals artificial shells — mainly caps (85 %). that 10 world's 16 terrestrial shells, observed all Earth's tropical coasts. Four non-exclusive mechanisms may drive individual choice for shells: sexual signaling, lightness odour cues, and camouflage polluted environment. Further research needed determine this crab evolutionary trajectories.