Isocheles aequimanus (Paguroidea: Diogenidae), a new record of hermit crab for Peru, with bioecological observations in natural banks of Ensis macha

Berrú-Paz P.M.; Nizama-Chapoñan A. · Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad (2025) · DOI: 10.22201/ib.20078706e.2025.96.5431

Resumen

The hermit crab Isocheles aequimanus (Dana, 182), was first identified in the Ancash region of Peru, specifically in the Mar Brava (09°16’57.39” S, 78°30’44.16” W) and Colorado (09°40’02.19” S, 78°19’21.59” W) areas. This study describes its taxonomic characteristics and analyzes the association between I. aequimanus and eight gastropod shells (Nassarius dentifer, Polinices uber, Solatia buccionides, Stramonita biserialis, Thaissella chocolata, Trophon peruvianus, Xanthochorus buxea, and Sinum cymba) used as shelter. Two-hundred and thirty-one specimens of I. aequimanus were analized, ranging in size from 3.19 to 9.21 mm shield length, with an average weight of 0.35 g. Of the analyzed individuals, 33.6% were males and 66.4% were females. The gastropod shells with the highest occupancy frequency were N. dentifer with 59.7%, P. uber with 25.5%, S. buccionides with 6.9%, and S. biserialis with 5.6%. Isocheles aequimanus is reported as a new record from the coasts of Peru, increasing the knowledge of the specific richness of hermit crabs, promoting the need to increase efforts in the study of local and national biodiversity, in order to cover information gaps and establish geographic connections with other countries in the region.