Note upon an Association between Spider-Crab and Sea-Anemone

Extract

It was observed during the summer of 1920 that specimens of the Long legged Spider-crab, Stenorhynchus phalangium Penn., which happened to be in the crowded tanks of the Roscoff Laboratory, were always to be found in the neighbourhood of specimens of Anemonia sulcata Penn. (Anthea cereus Ellis). That this was not merely accidental was shown when crabs, removed to a distance of over three feet, returned time after time to an Anemonia, passing on the way anemones of various species, as well as all manner of objects which might conceivably afford shelter. Of fifteen healthy crabs of this species observed during the past three summers, every one showed this tendency in greater or less degree. At least two of these crabs were found clinging to anemones of this species on the shore, between tide marks; but the subsequent behaviour of crabs dredged from deeper water was in no way different.