The laboratory experiments undertaken here also supported this
conclusion. The preference for the artificial root structures by both
epifaunal species was not affected by predator presence (Fig. 2).
Furthermore, the structures did not reduce crab predation rates
(Fig. 3), the vertical nature of the former resulting in large interstructural
spaces which would barely impede predator movements.
Consequently, habitat shifting by crabs, being predator avoidance
behavior, would not occur due to similar predation risks in both bare
and structured areas. This suggests that relatively small highly mobile
carnivores could also be significant predators, in addition to ambush
or stalk-and-attack type predators.