Carapace relative growth of Trapezia Latreille, 1828 (Decapoda, Brachyura), crabs that are symbionts of hard corals, from Clipperton atoll and the Revillagigedo islands: ecological and zoogeographical implications

Research on the carapace growth of Trapezia crabs, symbionts of hard corals at Clipperton Atoll and Revillagigedo Islands, reveals significant inter- and intraspecific differences. Trapezia bidentata exhibits a larger body size, suggesting competitive advantages for food gathering and habitat selection, while T. digitalis shows a higher interocular distance (ID)/carapace width (CW) ratio, likely enhancing 3D perception and antipredatory responses. The study analyzed 325 specimens using morphometric measurements and growth pattern analyses, indicating isometric growth in all examined relationships. Notably, populations of T. bidentata were more morphometrically similar across islands, suggesting higher metapopulation connectivity compared to T. digitalis, possibly due to differences in larval stage duration.

Sanvicente-Añorve, L., Hermoso-Salazar, M., Solís-Weiss, V., & Salgado-Ugarte, I. (2010). Carapace relative growth of Trapezia Latreille, 1828 (Decapoda, Brachyura), crabs that are symbionts of hard corals, from Clipperton atoll and the Revillagigedo islands: ecological and zoogeographical implications. Crustaceana, 83(11), 1371–1383. https://doi.org/10.1163/001121610x533520