Natural diet of grapsoid crab Plagusia dentipes de Haan (Decapoda: Brachyura: Plagusiidae) in Tateyama Bay, Japan
2007
Samson, Stepanus A | Yokota, Masashi | Strüssmann, Carlos A | Watanabe, Seiichi
The natural diet of Plagusia dentipes de Haan was studied in Tateyama Bay, Japan, between June 2004 and May 2005. A total of 389 specimens were collected for analysis of stomach content during the period, with sizes ranging between 7.1 and 63.1 mm in carapace width. The major dietary item was rhodophycean algae (mostly articulated coralline algae), which was ingested by 91.8% of the crabs and accounted on average for 55.6% (points) of the volume of stomach contents. Chlorophycean algae (mostly Ulvaceae, 39.1% and 8.1 points) and crustaceans (mostly amphipods, 38% and 3 points) came next in feeding frequency and volume. Minor dietary items also included other algae such as Phaeophyceae and animals such as mollusks (bivalves, gastropods), annelids (polychaetes), other crustaceans (caprellids, isopods), and echinoids. Significant seasonal dietary differences were observed and, in general, the diet in spring contained more food items, particularly more animals, compared to other seasons. Feeding of Rhodophyceae was highest and lowest in winter and summer, respectively. The total volume of food consumed was also lowest in summer and likely reflected reduced availability of the main food item in this season. There were no differences in dietary items between male and female crabs. In conclusion. P. dentipes is a primarily herbivorous crab with incidental or opportunistic feeding on animal items, and it is suggested that seasonal shifts in consumption may be related to growth, molting, and reproductive activity.
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