A recent analysis of nature enthusiasts’ photographs shared online reveals that hermit crabs worldwide, which roam in search of shells as protection for their bodies, are becoming increasingly reliant on plastic waste. Scientists are “heartbroken” to see the extent to which these animals are living in our trash.
The study, published in the journal Science of the Total Environment, used social media and photo-sharing platforms to analyze images. According to Marta Szulkin, an urban ecologist from the University of Warsaw, “We started noticing something completely unusual. Instead of being adorned with beautiful seashells, which is what we are accustomed to seeing, they had a red plastic bottle cap or a piece of a lightbulb on them.”
The majority of objects observed in the crabs’ use were made of plastic. Zuzanna Jagiello, also from the University of Warsaw, found a total of 386 individuals using artificial shells, mainly plastic bottle caps. “Our calculations indicate that ten out of sixteen terrestrial hermit crab species worldwide utilize this type of shelter, and this has been observed in all tropical regions on Earth,” explains Professor Szulkin.
It is still unclear whether these materials are harmful or even beneficial to these small, delicate crustaceans. “When I first saw these images, I felt that it broke my heart,” says Professor Szulkin to BBC Radio 4’s Inside Science. “At the same time, I believe we really need to understand the fact that we live in a different era, and animals will make use of what is available to them.”
The ecological study conducted online reveals that the use of artificial shells is a “global phenomenon.” “We observed this in two-thirds of all terrestrial hermit crab species,” says Professor Szulkin. “This is based on what we could identify solely from photos taken by tourists.”
Researchers say that these findings raise new questions about how these coastal crustaceans interact with and utilize plastic. Apart from understanding whether it causes any harm, scientists want to learn how it might impact their evolution. This entire group of crabs has adapted to collecting and utilizing discarded snail shells to protect their delicate bodies. And when these shells are scarce, crabs will fight over them.
“However, we don’t know how much novelty factor might affect them – and whether crabs will fight over plastic shells,” Professor Szulkin explains. The scientist suggests that natural snail shells are declining, so she suspects it may be easier for animals to find artificial alternatives. Lighter, plastic “shells” may even help smaller, weaker crabs survive because they’re easier to carry.
Certainly, there is a lot of plastic in the marine environment for animals to choose from. A recent study estimating the scale of plastic pollution suggests that at least 171 trillion pieces of plastic are currently floating in our oceans. Experts warn that this number could nearly triple by 2040 if no action is taken. But there is hope that in 2024, countries will finally sign a long-awaited global treaty to end the plastic plague.
Mark Miodownik, a materials and society professor at University College London, told the BBC that these images provide a valuable lesson for humans. “Just like hermit crabs,” he said, “we should reuse plastics much more frequently rather than throwing them away.”
NEWS FOR HERMIT CRABS: Plastic waste is becoming increasingly important for hermit crabs worldwide. Researchers have discovered that two-thirds of hermit crab species were photographed using artificial shells made of plastic. This study raises new questions about how these crustaceans interact with and use plastic. More information can be found in the article published in the journal Science of the Total Environment.
Definitions:
– Hermit crabs: Crustaceans from the family Paguridae that protect their bodies by wearing snail shells.
– Shelter: A shell used by hermit crabs to protect their bodies.
Recommended related links:
– Science of the Total Environment
– University of Warsaw
– BBC Radio 4’s Inside Science
– University College London
The source of the article is from the blog reporterosdelsur.com.mx