Traumatic encounter between Ruddy Turnstone <i>Arenaria interpres </i> and Hermit Crab <i>Coenobita perlatus</i> at D&#8217;Arros Island, Amirantes Group, Seychelles

Abstract

On 13 March 2011 at 09:00, we encountered a juvenile Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres on the ground in apparent distress. We were conducting a nesting sea turtle track count survey along the sandy shoreline of D’Arros Island in the Amirantes Group of the Seychelles. Unable to take flight, the Turnstone was struggling in the manner of a bird entangled by the sticky seeds of the Pisonia grandis tree. But, upon closer inspection we found that the tip of its bill was in the grip of th left claw of a Hermit Crab Coenobita perlatus.