Maxilliped-Setation Adaptations to Habitat and Sexual Dimorphism of Feeding Claws in Uca perplexa and U. vomeris

Lim, Shirley S. L.; Kalpana, S.

doi:10.1651/10-3416.1

Cited by 9 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Finally, the low presences of three species (Uca signata, Uca vocans and Uca dussumieri) prevented habitat models to be developed. U. signata is generally found on salt flats beyond the low intertidal banks (Nobbs, 2003), Uca vomeris is usually associated with muddy mangrove habitats at tidal levels higher than those considered in this study (Lim and Kalpana, 2011) and U. dussumieri likely occurs higher in the intertidal (George and Jones, 1982). Sampling among the wider estuarine landscape likely provides the necessary data for their habitat modelling.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 65%

Predicting habitat associations of five intertidal crab species among estuaries

Vermeiren¹,

Sheaves²

2014

Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 65%

Predicting habitat associations of five intertidal crab species among estuaries

Vermeiren¹,

Sheaves²

2014

Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science

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“…For example, U. signata is generally found on salt flats beyond the low intertidal banks (Nobbs 2003), M. longicarpus on intertidal sand flats not sampled in this study (Takeda 2010), and U. vomeris on muddy mangrove habitats at tidal levels higher than those considered in this study (Lim and Kalpana 2011). Similarly, P. messa, sampled using hand collections, is usually found within mangrove forests (Sheaves and Molony 2000).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 66%

Modeling Intertidal Crab Distribution Patterns Using Photographic Mapping Among Tropical Australian Estuaries

Vermeiren

Sheaves

2014

Estuaries and Coasts

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Intertidal crabs are abundant in tropical estuaries and have bio-indicator potential. However, the use of intertidal crabs in guiding management actions is limited because highreplication, cost-effective tools to analyze their distribution patterns at large scales are lacking. This study used assemblage modeling and photography to rapidly build formal understanding of the spatial organization of crab communities in the low intertidal zone, between mean sea level at low spring tide and the edge of the mangrove forest, within and among estuaries. A classification and regression tree model revealed seven distinct habitats based on relative occurrence of five species (Uca coarctata, Uca seismella, Macrophthalmus japonicus, Metopograpsus frontalis, and Metopograpsus latifrons) among eight estuaries along 160 km of coast in North Queensland, Australia (18°28′-19°25′ S, 146°12′-147°14′ E), across four sampling trips between April 2009 and October 2010. Photography provided high-replication sampling across a large area relative to the aim of the study but did not represent the whole intertidal crab community. Complementary hand collections within one estuary allowed the occurrences of three other species (Perisesarma longicristatum, Australoplax tridentata, and Metopograpsus thukuhar) to be fitted into the model. Species occurred across habitats, yet a high occurrence of different species characterized each habitat. The presence of some species not usually found on low intertidal banks suggested connectivity across the intertidal landscape. The model provided a formal basis to add previous small "site or transect specific" scale spatial distribution knowledge as well as other ecological information. Areas with outlying values can be identified as research and management priorities in the absence of other information, although this prioritization should be done with care. The approach may be transferable to other organisms and systems to provide rapid, cost-effective information on the distribution of key fauna where background understanding and resources are limited.

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“…in gathering food from the sediment surface (Icely and Jones 1978). In fact, differences in mouthpart morphology among Uca species have been suggested as a mechanism of trophic niche specialization (Icely and Jones 1978;Lim and Kalpana 2011). Surprisingly, significant differences in δ 13 C values were also observed for the two Metopograpsus species that are usually considered more opportunistic feeders (Poon et al 2010;Nordhaus et al 2011).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…(Ocypodidae) extract food sources, including bacteria, microphytobenthos, fungi, and detritus, from the sediment (Hsieh et al 2002;Meziane et al 2002). They utilize highly specialized mouthparts to scoop up sediment pellets from which organic material is ingested (Icely and Jones 1978;Lim and Kalpana 2011). The morphology of mouthparts differs between species, allowing for specialization and diversification of trophic roles among species (Icely and Jones 1978;Lim and Kalpana 2011).…”

Section: Communicated By Kenneth Duntonmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…They utilize highly specialized mouthparts to scoop up sediment pellets from which organic material is ingested (Icely and Jones 1978;Lim and Kalpana 2011). The morphology of mouthparts differs between species, allowing for specialization and diversification of trophic roles among species (Icely and Jones 1978;Lim and Kalpana 2011). This specialization of trophic roles may be extensive because some Uca spp.…”

Section: Communicated By Kenneth Duntonmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Generalist and Specialist Feeding Crabs Maintain Discrete Trophic Niches Within and Among Estuarine Locations

Vermeiren

Abrantes

Sheaves

2015

Estuaries and Coasts

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Intertidal crabs are abundant, key components of tropical estuaries whose trophic interactions provide a direct and identifiable link within the ecosystem. Our study investigated spatial variability in food resource use of intertidal crabs, using stable isotope (δ 13 C and δ 15 N) values. This was done for two genera with contrasting feeding strategies (specialist Uca vs. generalist Metopograpsus) within and among locations in North Queensland, Australia. Uca coarctata, Uca seismella, Metopograpsus frontalis, and Metopograpsus latifrons occupied distinct isotopic niches, as quantified by standard ellipse areas. Bayesian mixing models suggested a diet supported by microphytobenhos for Uca species and a more depleted source for Metopograpsus species. Evidence for opportunistic feeding at higher trophic levels by Metopograpsus spp. was reflected by higher δ 15 N values compared to Uca species. Differences in diet between Uca and Metopograpsus, based on isotopic data, were maintained among ten locations across five estuaries. Food resource use was more variable for Metopograpsus spp. compared to Uca spp. among locations, reflecting the opportunistic feeding of the former. Sewage pollution was echoed in augmented δ 15 N values of all species. Results revealed separate trophic niches for both generalist and specialist feeding intertidal crab species across the estuarine landscape. The isotopic patterns of Uca spp. and Metopograpsus spp. fitted within the wider intertidal crab community, with generally low overlap among species within individual habitats. The greater flexibility in food resource use by generalists among locations could potentially provide a buffer against changes in food availability. We argue that patterns in food-resource use need to be considered in response to anthropogenic changes in the estuarine landscape.

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Maxilliped-Setation Adaptations to Habitat and Sexual Dimorphism of Feeding Claws in Uca perplexa and U. vomeris

Cited by 9 publications

References 27 publications

Predicting habitat associations of five intertidal crab species among estuaries

Predicting habitat associations of five intertidal crab species among estuaries

Modeling Intertidal Crab Distribution Patterns Using Photographic Mapping Among Tropical Australian Estuaries

Generalist and Specialist Feeding Crabs Maintain Discrete Trophic Niches Within and Among Estuarine Locations

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