Hermit crabs and their symbionts: Reactions to artificially induced anoxia on a sublittoral sediment bottom

► Anoxia is a key threat, and the Northern Adriatic Sea is a model “dead zone”. ► Hermit crabs and their symbionts are important ecosystem engineers. ► The reactions of hermit crabs to anoxia are examined in the community setting. ► The crabs reacted with a defined sequence of stress behaviours and mortality. ► The crabs are among the most hypoxia/anoxia-tolerant crustaceans. ► Their density and tolerance help to understand post-disturbance community recovery.