Does the tidal flood change the density and population structure of the caranguejo-uçá Ucides cordatus (Brachyura, Ocypodidae)? A study in mangrove of the Superagui National Park (PR, Brazil)

• Grant number: 17/22770-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2018
• End date: December 31, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Morphology of Recent Groups
• Principal Investigator: Marcelo Antonio Amaro Pinheiro
• Grantee: Marcio Camargo Araujo João
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB-CLP). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus Experimental do Litoral Paulista. São Vicente , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Studies on the biology of Ucides cordatus suggest alterations in population parameters due to the variations of abiotic factors, events expected by the climatic changes. Thus, the present study will evaluate the density and population structure of this brachyuran, in function of the tidal flood. The population parameters will be compared spatially (margin vs. apicum) in a mangrove area (Superagui National Park) based on different tidal flood levels, as well as seasonally (summer vs. winter). A total of five sampling squares (5x5m) were used, both in margin and apicum, to register density (indirect method, by counting galleries) and population structure (frequency histograms, converting diameter of galleries to animal sizes). The flood of each area will be measured by the height of the 'Bostrychietum' macroalgae associated with the trunk of five trees by sampling square. The population variables will be submitted to analysis of normality and homoscedasticity, as well as to statistical tests to verify possible spatial and seasonal contrasts. In addition, they will be confronted with the flood level (dependent variable) by the Spearman correlation coefficient. The influence of the flood on the population parameters of U. cordatus will help to understand the main impacts caused by climate change, contributing to future management policies of this species. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

JOAO, MARCIO C. A.; HERNAEZ, PATRICIO. Burrow use and sexual dimorphism as indicators of the mating system in the symbiotic pea crab Austinixa patagoniensis (Rathbun 1918) (Decapoda, Brachyura, Pinnotheridae). MARINE ECOLOGY-AN EVOLUTIONARY PERSPECTIVE, v. 42, n. 5, AUG 2021. (17/22770-3, 15/09020-0)