Prey preference of the stone crab Platyxanthus crenulatus (Decapoda: Platyxanthidae) in laboratory conditions

Abstract

-The preference for a particular type of prey implies an active behavioral choice of the predator. The present work deals with the prey preference of the large stone crab Platyxanthus crenulatus among similar sized gastropods and bivalves of different substrates using a recent proposed methodology based on a two-stage approach. In laboratory, crabs received different mollusk species separately to determine the consumption in number of each species when choice was not possible. Further, crabs were offered the same mollusc species but together to record differences of specific consumption when choice was possible. Results were then compared to assess prey preferences. Platyxanthus crenulatus is able to effectively attack and consume the majority of the sympatric mollusk species, although preferred the dominant species Brachidontes rodriguezii over the others. Such preference seems to be driven by shell shape and thickness which may be a common pattern in prey preference among large stone crab species.

Experimental predatory behavior of the stone crab Eriphia verrucosa (Forskål, 1775) (Decapoda, Brachyura, Eriphiidae)

“…Nauplius, 25: e2017033 break the shell of prey, attacks effectively and consumes many different sympatric mollusk species, but when faced with a choice it prefers some species over the others (Laitano et al, 2013). Results of the present study also indicated that, although the stone crab E. verrucosa is able to consume all six types of prey offered, the proportion of crab feeding and/or the biomass of prey eaten vary considerably among them: a higher percentage of crab feeding was observed when the mussel M. galloprovincialis, the limpet P. depressa or the sea snail Ph.…”

“…seems to be a common pattern among large stone crab species (Laitano et al, 2013). The shell rugosity of prey was also relevant since crabs cannot easily attach to a shell with smooth surface (Weigand and Plath, 2013).…”

“…Crabs are highly mobile and are known to have an important role in structuring assemblages on rocky shores worldwide (Behrens Yamada and Boulding, 1996;Rilov and Schiel, 2006;Silva et al, 2008;Forsstrom et al, 2015). They are predators of intertidal hard-shelled prey such as limpets, mussels, gastropods and sea urchins (Turra et al, 2005;Silva et al, 2010;Laitano et al 2013). When they feed on these hard-shelled preys, many crabs are capable of extracting the meat by peeling the shell aperture and thus avoid spending more time and energy in shell crushing (Rossi and Parisi, 1973).…”

Flexible prey handling, preference and a novel capture technique in invasive, sub-adult Chinese mitten crabs

“…Despite the lack of prey preference studies for E. sinensis, such data are available for other species of decapod crustaceans using a variety of different methods (e.g. Ashton, 2002;Buck et al, 2003;Jackson & Underwood, 2007;Erickson et al, 2008;Grason & Miner, 2012;Haddaway et al, 2012;Laitano et al, 2013). In the present study, methods devised by Taplin (2007) were used, and observations on handling times of the different prey species were also made.…”

Habitat use, relative growth and size at maturity of the purple stone crab <em>Platyxanthus crenulatus</em> (Decapoda: Brachyura), calculated under different models

“…Their claws have marked heterochely and laterality (i.e. dimorphism between chelae and the tendency for them to appear on a particular side of the body), traits associated with shell-breaking feeding habits (Laitano et al 2013). Due to their abundance, large size and diet, P. crenulatus presumably has an important ecological role as a predator in benthic communities, similar to that of other stone crabs such as the Mennipidae in the northwestern Atlantic Ocean (Gerhart and Bert 2008).…”