The timing of decisions during shell investigation by the hermit crab, Pagurus bernhardus

Factors which influence decisions by hermit crabs concerning whether to approach, investigate and enter another shell have been investigated by systematically varying the size of the shell in possession and the size of the shell being offered. The probability that a crab will approach or enter the shell depends on both variables. Investigation after contact, however, depends only on the size of the shell in possession. Durations of each stage of the sequence are negatively correlated with the numbers of crabs in each experimental group performing the next stage. For the final sequence of aperture investigatory activities, the fewer crabs entering the offered shell, the greater the number of investigatory acts performed by those crabs. In addition to variation in number of acts and duration of investigation, specific use of appendages varies according to the experimental situation. Thus naked crabs use the minor cheliped to investigate shells in preference to the major cheliped, which is normally used by housed crabs, with the major cheliped being reserved for defence by naked crabs. These data are discussed in terms of information collection and decisions made on the basis of that information.