Title: The effects of temperature and desiccation on Pagurus samuelis and Pagurus granosimanus at Pacific Grove, California
Student Author(s): Forward, Richard
Location: Final Papers Biology 175H
Date: June 1965
Keywords: hermit crab
Abstract: 1. Tests were performed on P. samuelis and P. granosimanus to determine the effects of temperature and desiccation. 2. P. samuelis can tolerate higher water temperature than P. granosimanus with P. samuelis lethal temperature at 31.5 degrees C and P. granosimanus 29.7. 3. Shell temperature measurements on exposure to sunlight showed that P. samuelis maintained a lower shell temperature longer and possessed an apparent behavioral response for controlling temperature. 4. Both species die at 45-65 minutes out of the shell when exposed to the sun with P. samuelis body temperature at death higher than P. granosimanus. 5. When exposed within the shell P. samuelis lived longer and had a lower body temperature at death then P. granosimanus. 6. P. samuelis loses more water and faster than P. granosimanus both in and out of the shell. 7. Generally P. samuelis is adapted to a higher position in the intertidal zone due to its ability to withstand and control temperature.