Daily Movement in the Hermit Crabs Clibanarius Tricolor and Calcinlus Tibicen

The daily movements of individuals of two species of hermit crabs (Clibanarius tricolor and Calcinus tibicen) were studied in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. While C. tricolor moved significantly greater distances per day, both crab species tended to be site-attached and home ranges averaged less than 2 m in length. Species of shells occupied affected very significantly movement patterns, especially onshore-offshore movement by individuals of Calcinus tibicen. Movement patterns may be related to shell resource acquisition by individuals of both crab species.