Characterization of fiddler crabs community (Brachyura: Ocypodidae: Gelasiminae) in different vegetation types of mangrove

• Grant number: 17/13510-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: October 01, 2017
• End date: March 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Morphology of Recent Groups
• Principal Investigator: Luciana Cavalcanti Maia Santos
• Grantee: Nicholas Kriegler
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB-CLP). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus Experimental do Litoral Paulista. São Vicente , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The Gelasiminae, subfamily which belong the popularly known fiddler-crabs, has an important role as mangrove ecosystem engineers, but some factors limits its spatial distribution, such as sediment grain, food availability and microclimate. In this context, integrative and interdisciplinary analyses about the habitats of fiddler-crabs become essential to understand ecological patterns. This is possible by the integration of ecologic data in remote sensing and GIS (Geographical Information System) tools. The present project aims to apply remote sensing techniques and GIS, together with ecological information obtained from fiddler-crabs and mangrove ecosystem, to characterize the spatial distribution, spatio-temporal changes and community structure of these crabs, in three different mangrove vegetation types, identifying which biotic or abiotic parameters are more explanatory for this pattern. A time series of RapidEye images and aerial photographs will be processed in IDRISI and SPRIG GIS, in order to map the crab community habitats and spatial distribution. Fieldworks will be accomplished to ground truth, sapling the crab community and the mangrove sediment and vegetation. The crab community will be characterized in terms of composition and population structure. Principal components analysis will be applied to investigate the major factor determining the community patter. This integrative analyses shows as an important perspective for the study of mangroves and its associated fauna, providing subsidies for environmental planning and conservation in relation to spatio-temporal changes that may occur in mangrove habitats resulting from local and regional climate change, and its consequences on the fiddler-crab community. (AU)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

KRIEGLER, Nicholas. Characterization of fiddler crabs assemblage (Brachyura: Ocypodidae: Gelasiminae), in different vegetation types of mangrove. 2019. Master's Dissertation - Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Instituto de Biociências. São Vicente São Vicente.