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Hermit crabs have begun using plastic found on beaches and in the water instead of traditional shells to protect their soft bellies.

Scientists from the University of Warsaw and the University of Life Sciences in Poznań applied innovative methods related to internet ecology, through which they identified 386 individuals using artificial shells, especially plastic covers.

Interestingly, 10 out of 16 species of wild hermit crabs worldwide, in all tropical regions of the Earth, have been found to use this type of shelter. The full study was published in the journal Holistic ecology.

“Hermit crabs need to protect their soft abdomen. They usually do this by hiding in shells left by dead crustaceans. Such a hiding place is not enough for a lifetime due to the development of cancer, but also due to competition between species,” says Professor Marta Sulkin, author of the study, In her statement:

Scientists analyzed photos of the hermit crab family Coenobitidae Posted on social media and other online platforms.

“In the images we detected a total of 386 individuals using 'artificial shells', which are mainly plastic covers, but also made from broken bottle necks or metal ends of light bulbs. According to our calculations, 10 out of 16 hermit crab species have been eliminated.” “This type of shelter is used by the world's terrestrial organisms. This unusual behavior is observed in all tropical regions of the Earth,” explains Professor Marta Sulkin.

You can see the full photo gallery here.

In this article, scientists present hypothesized evolutionary trends for individual hermit crab species in the Anthropocene. Among the factors that influence these animals' choice of artificial shells, the researchers highlight: sexual selection, the weight of plastic materials, odorous stimuli, and the possibility of camouflage in polluted environments.

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In the course of future research, scientists will determine the causes of this behavior and its impact on the development of hermit crabs.

“These analyzes will deepen our understanding of the consequences of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems, as well as the evolution of species in the context of new evolutionary pressures associated with the Anthropocene,” the researcher adds.

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