A “right-handed” hermit crab species, Paguritta sp., lives in holes typically made in hard coral by feather worms or vermetids, and in this case the coral was covered by incrusting red sponge. Considering these crabs are often seen in colonies, it’s worth speculating whether the crab larvae might have been responsible for the worm’s demise or if the worm hole happened to be conveniently empty.
9 November 2015