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Abstract

The present research aimed to evaluate the distribution, sexual dimorphism, and relative growth of Areopaguristes perspicax (Nobili, 1906) along with host shell relationship and selection along the coast of Karachi, Pakistan. Data of hermit crab and gastropod shells were gathered from the four (Manora, Buleji, Sandspit, and Mubarak) coastal sites of two (rocky and sandy) habitats along the Pakistan coast (2017-2019). For morphometric studies, the crabs were sorted, weighed, and measured for the metric variables: cephalothoracic shield length (CSL), hermit crab total length (HCTL), chela length (CL), chela width (CW), and hermit crab weight (HCW), while for host shell relationship, host shell length (HSL), host shell width (HSW), and host shell aperture length (HSAL) data were evaluated. Peak abundance of hermit crabs was recorded on intertidal rocky shore at Buleji. Hermits were found in 25 types of gastropod shells and lived in a predictable progression of shell species as they grew in hard carapace, or shield length, with hard chela. CSL and HCTL were positively related to width of the shell occupied and the aperture length of the shell, but patterns were different for male, female hermits. In natural populations, males dominated the smallest and largest size classes, while the intermediate classes consisted of females. The males had greater dimensions and enlarged chelae compared to females. This research employs new insights into relative growth and sexual dimorphism assessments of A. perspicax from the Pakistani coast, which remains understudied as compared to other regional investigations and other species within the genus.

Article History

Received: Sep 26, 2026; Accepted: Oct 26, 2026; Published: Sep 30, 2026

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