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| Author(s): |
Nicholas Kriegler
Total Authors: 1
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| Document type: | Master's Dissertation |
| Press: | São Vicente. 2019-04-11. |
| Institution: | Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Instituto de Biociências. São Vicente |
| Defense date: | 2019-03-12 |
| Advisor: | Luciana Cavalcanti Maia Santos; Marcelo Antonio Amaro Pinheiro |
| 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. In this context, integrative and interdisciplinary analyses about the habitats of fiddler-crabs become essential to understand ecological patterns, by integration of ecologic data in remote sensing and GIS (Geographical Information System) tools. The present study characterize the spatial distribution and assemblage structure of these crabs (Brachyura: Ocypodidae: Gelasiminae), in three different mangrove phytophysiognomies, and their relation with environmental parameters. Phytophysiognomies distinguished the structure of the mangrove forest, with trees of greater height and diameter at the margin, showing a more mature environment. These values decay towards the “apicum”, where the vegetation is predominantly shrub. The sediment is more clayey in the margin where the flood by the tide is larger, and sandier in the transition and “apicum”, where hydrodynamics are lower. Due to these distinct characteristics, different sizes of the sampling square were established for each subarea, with different numbers of replicas: 20 replicas of the square of 30x30cm in the Margin, 15 replicas of the square of 50x50cm in the Transition and 20 replicas of the square of 30x30 in the ”apicum”. In the margin were found two species of Leptuca genera (L. uruguayensis and L. thayeri); in the transition, in addition to the previous species, were found two species of Minuca genera (M. vocator and M. rapax); in “apicum”, only M. rapax and L. uruguayensis were present. The mean size of the crabs was smaller in the margin, increasing in the other phytophysiognomies. The distribution of the species is aggregated in the margin and transition, but uniform in the “apicum”, a factor that appears to be associated, mainly, with the density of the vegetation, which in turn is a reflection of the other environmental parameters. (AU) | |
| FAPESP's process: | 17/13510-8 - Characterization of fiddler crabs community (Brachyura: Ocypodidae: Gelasiminae) in different vegetation types of mangrove |
| Grantee: | Nicholas Kriegler |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships in Brazil - Master |