Cuvelier, Daphne, Vigneron, Mathilde, Colaço, Ana and Greinert, Jens (2023) Delayed response of hermit crabs carrying anemones to a benthic impact experiment at the deep-sea nodule fields of the Peru Basin?. Marine Environmental Research, 185 . Art.Nr. 105899. DOI 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.105899.

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Abstract

Highlights

• Probeebei mirabilis with or without anemone as indicator of changed environment.

• 26 years after disturbance population densities changed significantly.

• Possible delayed response to anthropogenic disturbance experiment.

• Need for long-term (>30 yrs) monitoring surveys post-disturbance in the abyss.

The deep Peru Basin is characterised by a unique abyssal scavenging community featuring large numbers of hermit crabs (Probeebei mirabilis, Decapoda, Crustacea). These are atypical hermit crabs, not carrying a shell, but on some occasions carrying an anemone (Actiniaria). The reason why some hermit crabs carry or not carry anemones is thought to be indicative of a changed environment, outweighing the cost/benefit of their relationship. Here we present the temporal variation of abundances of P. mirabilis with and without anemones, spanning more than two decades, following a benthic impact experiment. An overall decrease in hermit crab densities was observed, most noticeable and significant after 26 years and characterised by a loss of Actiniaria on the Probeebei mirabilis' pleon. Whether this is a delayed response to the benthic impact experiment carried out 26 years’ prior or a natural variation in the population remains to be corroborated by an extension of the time-series. Attention is drawn to the limitations of our knowledge over time and space of the abyssal community dynamics and the urgent necessity to fill in these gaps prior to any type of deep-sea exploitation.

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