Recent research by master's student, Elliot Hart, showed that stone crabs completely dominate spiny lobsters for access to crevice shelters in the Florida Keys. In areas where stone crabs are abundant, spiny lobsters are forced to aggregate in the remaining shelters or emigrate from the area. However, when stone crabs are removed, lobsters rush in and spread out, filling the void. Elliot graduated with his M.S. degree in spring 2014.
