Larval release rhythm of the land hermit crab Coenobita cavipes Stimpson, 1858 (Anomura, Coenobitidae) on Iriomote Island, Japan

Land hermit crabs Coenobita cavipes on Iriomote Island exhibit semi-lunar larval release rhythms, peaking 1–3 hours after sunset during new and full moons. Unlike their congeneric relative C. violascens, which releases larvae at high tide in mangrove roots, C. cavipes releases larvae in the swash zone of lowland riverbanks without tidal synchronization. The study observed this behavior between June and September 2012, noting a shift in peak timing—30 minutes earlier in August than July—while ruling out tidal influence. Ovigerous females migrate from residual forests to release larvae near water edges, suggesting an adaptive strategy distinct from coastal mangrove-dwelling congeners.

Doi, W., Mizutani, A., & Kohno, H. (2018). Larval release rhythm of the land hermit crab Coenobita cavipes Stimpson, 1858 (Anomura, Coenobitidae) on Iriomote Island, Japan. Crustaceana, 91(2), 199–211. https://doi.org/10.1163/15685403-00003758