I talked a bit in class today about vacancy chains, and how the dynamics observed in them might be harnessed to useful ends by urban planners. Here’s an article in the Times reporting some research on vacancy chains in hermit crabs, and how such chains may show a degree of “income inequality.” I’m not sure the characterization is apt, actually, but it’s an interesting idea. Includes video of hermit crabs upgrading shells! “Even Hermit Crabs Have Wealth Inequality.”