These creatures not only live in the shell of the host, but also build outbuildings that protect against predators.
Deep in the Kumano Sea off the southeast coast of Japan live hermit crabs, whose shells have pearly pink flowers. However, after careful study, the scientists came to the conclusion that these were not plants, but a newly discovered species of anemone. Guardian.
Note that this type of coexistence of sea anemones and crustaceans is by no means unique, with dozens of anemones living only with hermit crabs. Both win – the anemone’s painful tentacles protect the crustacean from predators, while the sea anemones hitchhike over the crabs, swallowing the remnants of their food.
in 24News Breaker. Technology emerged telegraph channel. Subscribe so you don’t miss the latest and exciting news from the world of science!
But, according to scientists, these anemones went even further – they literally build “mansions” on top of the crab’s shell, expanding their boundaries and adding a “patio”. According to Akihiro Yoshikawa, author of the study that discovered the sea anemone, these sea anemones won’t build homes for anyone, they’re just focused on interacting with one type of hermit crab.
Note that a new species of sea anemone was discovered by researchers from Kagoshima University after several individuals fell into trawler nets at a depth of 100 to 400 meters. This union of sea anemones and crabs is so unique that when it’s time for the crabs to find a new shell and move in, they take the constructive anemones with them.
According to Yoshikawa, he named the new sea anemone species after one of the characters from his favorite Hayao Miyazaki’s Howl’s Moving Castle cartoon Calcifer. Note that the cartoon is a screen version of a science fiction novel in which the fiery demon Calcifer is bound by a magic contract with the house of the wizard Howl, who moves from place to place like a hermit crab.
During the research, Yokashiva was also able to film the incredible migration of crabs and anemones in an aquarium in her laboratory. The scientist notes that it took almost two days to convince his crab friend to leave the old house and move in with him. In the end, after many tweaks and “persuasion” the anemone gave up, dropped the old shell and took a new one.
Researchers note that in the deep sea you can also find many hermit crabs that do not have such companions. Scientists suggest this is due to the ocean not having enough calcifying sea anemone. The scientists also wondered why crabs weren’t afraid to molt if they realized that their mates could easily be stolen during the move to a new home.
Yokashiva thinks this may be due to the anemones’ extended habitat not being an ideal home for hermit crabs. The scientist believes that the crabs see such a house with superstructures as temporary because these structures are not very thin and durable. In addition, researchers believe that “moving” is a great way to get rid of other intruders, because many other organisms live on and inside the shells of hermit crabs, and not all of them are pleasant to crustaceans.
Previously Focus He wrote of how the parasites “hack” the crabs to survive and change their sex.
Source: Focus
Ashley Fitzgerald is an accomplished journalist in the field of technology. She currently works as a writer at 24 news breaker. With a deep understanding of the latest technology developments, Ashley’s writing provides readers with insightful analysis and unique perspectives on the industry.