Ghost crab predation of loggerhead turtle eggs across thermal habitats

Martins, Rita; Marco, Adolfo; Patiño-Martínez, Juan; Yeoman, Kate; Vinagre, Catarina; Patrício, Ana R.

doi:10.1016/j.jembe.2022.151735

Cited by 3 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 47 publications

(69 reference statements)

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“…Temperature is one of the most important factors affecting the abundance and activity of Ocypode spp. Ghost crabs (Dubey et al, 2013; Haque & Choudhury, 2014; Lucrezi et al, 2009; Martins et al, 2022). Our results on the analysis of the frequency of crabs' observations as a function of the months showed different patterns between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea (Figure 4a).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The expansion of the Atlantic–Mediterranean ghost crab Ocypode cursor (Linnaeus, 1758): Distribution, environmental niches and future perspectives

Marchessaux,

Gjoni,

Tantillo

et al. 2024

Aquatic Conservation

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The tufted ghost crab Ocypode cursor (Linnaeus, 1758) found in the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean is currently a great example that elucidates concerns within scientific and conservation communities. This species, native to the subtropical Atlantic Ocean and the warmest southeastern Mediterranean Sea (Egypt), has been extending its distribution in both regions since the 1980s, likely due to the warming sea temperatures. These small nocturn crabs are typically found inhabiting sandy beaches and dune environments. This species is an opportunistic predator eating terrestrial and marine prey, especially on sea turtle eggs. Despite its status as a threatened species by two European conventions, there is a lack of knowledge of its ecology and biology. Sometimes considered as an indicator of good ecological status of beaches where it lives, this ghost crab could nevertheless benefit from climate change to extend its distribution range. This review aims to create a baseline on the current knowledge and gaps in the published scientific literature on the ghost crab. Additionally, through an analysis of the existing literature, we also offer insights into the potential risk of beach erosion associated with the expansion of this species.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Temperature is one of the most important factors affecting the abundance and activity of Ocypode spp. Ghost crabs (Dubey et al, 2013;Haque & Choudhury, 2014;Martins et al, 2022).…”

Section: Temperature and Behaviourmentioning

confidence: 99%

The expansion of the Atlantic–Mediterranean ghost crab Ocypode cursor (Linnaeus, 1758): Distribution, environmental niches and future perspectives

Marchessaux,

Gjoni,

Tantillo

et al. 2024

Aquatic Conservation

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“…These are generalist predators, with the ability to detect prey odours, that can adapt their foraging behaviour according to available food sources (Losos and Greene 1988). Ghost crabs are important turtle egg predators globally (Witherington 1999;Barton and Roth 2008;Marco et al 2015;Martins et al 2022a), yet at the JVPMNP they probably act as local opportunistic predators, considering the seldom observed predatory activity. One limitation of this study is that clutches on Poilão's neighbouring islands were primarily monitored during the initial 10 days after oviposition, covering only a portion of the incubation phase.…”

Section: Suitable Nesting Sitesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Predator species vary geographically, and may include mammals, birds, reptiles and crabs (Stokes et al 2024). Several studies suggest that nesting turtles may rely on environmental cues to choose nesting sites (Wilson 1998;Wood and Bjorndal 2000), and may even select beaches with reduced predatory activity (Martins et al 2022a), enhancing clutch survival.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Inter-island nesting dynamics and clutch survival of green turtles Chelonia mydas within a marine protected area in the Bijagós Archipelago, West Africa

Raposo,

Rebelo,

Catry

et al. 2024

Mar Biol

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Understanding spatial heterogeneity in reproductive success among at-risk populations facing localised threats is key for conservation. Sea turtle populations often concentrate at one nesting site, diverting conservation efforts from adjacent smaller rookeries. Poilão Island, Bijagós Archipelago, Guinea-Bissau, is a notable rookery for green turtles Chelonia mydas within the João Vieira-Poilão Marine National Park, surrounded by three islands (Cavalos, Meio and João Vieira), with lower nesting activity. Poilão’s nesting suitability may decrease due to turtle population growth and sea level rise, exacerbating already high nest density. As the potential usage of secondary sites may arise, we assessed green turtle clutch survival and related threats in Poilão and its neighbouring islands. High nest density on Poilão leads to high clutch destruction by later turtles, resulting in surplus eggs on the beach surface and consequently low clutch predation (4.0%, n = 69, 2000). Here, the overall mean hatching success estimated was 67.9 ± 36.7% (n = 631, 2015–2022), contrasting with a significantly lower value on Meio in 2019 (11.9 ± 23.6%, n = 21), where clutch predation was high (83.7%, n = 98). Moderate to high clutch predation was also observed on Cavalos (36.0%, n = 64) and João Vieira (76.0%, n = 175). Cavalos and Meio likely face higher clutch flooding compared to Poilão. These findings, alongside observations of turtle exchanges between islands, may suggest a source-sink dynamic, where low reproductive output sink habitats (neighbouring islands) are utilized by migrants from Poilão (source), which currently offers the best conditions for clutch survival.

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“…Caretta caretta is also directly threatened in the Mediterranean Sea due to anthropic activities, e.g., bycatch in fishing activities [28,[30][31][32] and destruction and disturbance of nesting sites [27,33,34]. Furthermore, other biotic factors negatively affect the nesting sites, for example, the occurrence of the ghost crab Ocypode cursor (Linnaeus, 1758), which is able to predate nests [35,36] and whose spreading in Sicily is ongoing [37].…”

Section: Remarksmentioning

confidence: 99%

Current Status of and Threats to Sicilian Turtles

et al. 2022

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Based on the critical review of the literature published in the last 22 years, an attempt was made to evaluate the current knowledge gap on the distribution and status of the native Testudines taxa occurring in Sicily (namely Caretta caretta, Emys trinacris, and Testudo hermanni hermanni), as well as the available knowledge of the only non-native species with putative viable populations occurring on the island, i.e., Trachemys scripta. Summarizing the current information, all of the Testudines species occurring in Sicily showed a fragmented and incompletely-known distribution, and only scarce data are available about their phenology. Moreover, despite their inclusion of international and national laws (Bern Convention, CITES, Habitat directive), all three native species are facing several threats (e.g., habitat alteration, the occurrence of invasive species, parasite spillover) leading to a reduction of their populations on the island. Future monitoring programs on the island should be enhanced, with an emphasis on those taxa in decline. Moreover, involve Citizen Science programs should also be implemented in order to increase the awareness of non-experts and facilitate the monitoring task.

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Ghost crab predation of loggerhead turtle eggs across thermal habitats

Cited by 3 publications

References 47 publications

The expansion of the Atlantic–Mediterranean ghost crab Ocypode cursor (Linnaeus, 1758): Distribution, environmental niches and future perspectives

The expansion of the Atlantic–Mediterranean ghost crab Ocypode cursor (Linnaeus, 1758): Distribution, environmental niches and future perspectives

Inter-island nesting dynamics and clutch survival of green turtles Chelonia mydas within a marine protected area in the Bijagós Archipelago, West Africa

Current Status of and Threats to Sicilian Turtles

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