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Evaluation of hermit crab shell indices

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Abstract

Hermit crab shell adequacy has been inferred by the use of indices, such as the shell adequacy index (SAI). A linear fit of the data, as proposed by the SAI, is inappropriate. The results of fitting a line to the non-linear data are discussed for two independent data sets. Corrections for the data non-linearity reveal that patterns previously attributed to competition within and between crab species may be analytical artifacts of the adequacy indices.

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Author notes

  1. S. Gilchrist

    Present address: Division of Natural Sciences, New College of the University of South Florida, 5700 Tamiami Trail, 33580, Sarasota, Florida, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, Florida State University, 32306, Tallahassee, Florida, USA

    S. Gilchrist

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  1. S. Gilchrist
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Communicated by J. M. Lawrence, Tampa

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Gilchrist, S. Evaluation of hermit crab shell indices. Mar. Biol. 78, 147–151 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00394694

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00394694

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