Geographical ecology of the symbiotic crabsLibinia ferreiraeandLibinia spinosa: Distributional patterns in south and south-eastern coast of Brazil

Author(s)

Goncalves, Geslaine Rafaela Lemos ^[1] ; Palomares, Luana Ferraz da Silveira ^[1] ; Sousa, Aline Nonato ^[1] ; Stanski, Gilson ^[1] ; Sancinetti, Gustavo ^[1] ; da Costa, Rogerio Caetano ^[2] ; Castilho, Antonio Leao ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Inst Biosci, Dept Zool, Grp Studies Crustacean Biol Ecol & Culture NEBECC, BR-18618970 Botucatu, SP - Brazil

^[2] Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Fac Sci Bauru, Dept Biol Sci, Lab Biol & Ecol Marine & Freshwater Shrimps LABCA, Bauru, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: MARINE ECOLOGY-AN EVOLUTIONARY PERSPECTIVE; v. 41, n. 4 AUG 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

The Brazilian coast is home to two species of Majoid crabs:Libinia ferreiraeandLibinia spinosa, with similar habits, as they live in symbiosis with the jellyfishLychnorhiza lucernaduring their juvenile stage and dwell on the bottom of the ocean near the coast when adults. This study investigated the spatial and temporal distribution ofL. ferreiraeandL. spinosaduring different ontogenic phases on the south and south-eastern coast of Brazil, between latitudes 22o and 27oS. Our results showed that both species have different distributions during their development in the three studied regions.Libinia ferreiraewere more abundant associated with jellyfish, andL. spinosawere more abundant in the free-living phase. Environmental factors, especially temperature and salinity, for associated and free-living crabs, respectively, are the main factors that need to be supported for the establishment of these specimens. We were able to identify that the presence or absence of hosts (given the ecological interactions between the species) is determinant in finding the associated crabs. Geographical variations (morphology of the regions, marine currents and the strength of the tide) are linked directly to the movement of the jellyfish hosts to the coast, influencing the abundance ofL. fereiraeandL. spinosapopulations and affecting their distribution patterns. We can infer that both species are connected with other populations because of the association with the jellyfish, crabs could be passively transported along the south and south-eastern coast of Brazil, maintaining the connection between metapopulations. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/13770-1 - Population ecology of Libinia ferreirae (Brachyura: Majoidea) in Southeastern coast of Brazil
• Grantee: Geslaine Rafaela Lemos Gonçalves
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 18/01659-0 - Ecology and trophic structure of the spider crab Libinia ferreirae (Decapoda: Majoidea) on the south Coast of São Paulo
• Grantee: Geslaine Rafaela Lemos Gonçalves
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate