A Novel Interaction: The thin stripe hermit Crab, Clibanarius vittatus, kills the Florida crown conch, Melongena corona, for its shell

The hermit crab Clibanarius vittatus kills Melongena corona solely to
acquire a better fitting shell. This finding is contrary to previous studies, which
found that hermit crabs of other species cannot kill gastropods or, in most
instances, remove freshly dead gastropods from their shells. This interaction
cannot be classified as predation because Melongena tissue was never
consumed. Clibanarius killed Melongena only when by doing so they could trade
up to a better fitting shell. It cannot be classified as competition because there is
no opportunity for Melongena to gain from the interaction. Therefore the term
“lethal eviction” is hereby proposed for this interaction. The ability to kill a
gastropod to obtain a superior shell gives Clibanarius vittatus an evolutionary
advantage over other hermit crab species. It is not known if the outcome of this
interaction is widespread where both species occur or if it is confined to the
study area.