Ontogenetic niche specialization of the spider crab Libinia ferreirae associated with the medusa Lychnorhiza lucerna

Author(s)

Lemos Goncalves, Geslaine Rafaela ; Wolf, Milena Regina ; Antunes, Mariana ; Amorim, Felipe Wanderley ; Negreiros-Fransozo, Maria Lucia ; Leao Castilho, Antonio

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: CURRENT ZOOLOGY; v. N/A, p. 10-pg., 2021-11-11.

Abstract

Symbiotic relationships in marine environments are not fixed and can change throughout the animal's life. This study investigated the ontogeny of symbiosis of the spider crab Libinia ferreirae with the host medusa Lychnorhiza lucerna. We described the type of relationship, the temporal correlation among species, and food habits. More than 50% of the sampled crabs were symbionts, most in early life stages. The highest number of crabs found in a single medusa was 11. Symbiosis was observed throughout most of the year but was more evident in warm periods. The crab has many benefits in this relationship with a medusa. One is the use of food resources captured by the medusa, primarily copepods. Because the crab steals the medusa's food, it is a kleptoparasitic relationship. There is a niche partition between symbiont and the free-living crabs as they occupy different habitats and use nonoverlapping food resources. Previous research reported that symbiosis first developed during the crab's last larval phase (megalopa) when crab and medusa are in the same habitat. Observation of the crab's behavior shows that symbiosis occurs when the crab can grab to the medusa when the host touches the sea bottom. The crab also took advantage of water currents, releasing itself from the substrate and then drifting toward the medusa. The symbiotic relationship that crabs have with the medusa provides then with a nursery, food resources, shelter, dispersion, and decreased competition with free-living adult crabs, all essential for the crab's survival. (AU)

• 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
• 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: 19/00105-3 - Application of the isotopic mixing models in the ecology to trophic structure of the spider crab Libinia ferreirae (Decapoda: Majoidea)
• Grantee: Geslaine Rafaela Lemos Gonçalves
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 10/50188-8 - Decapod crustaceans: multi-disciplinary characterization of the sea biodiversity of the State of São Paulo (taxonomy, spermiotaxonomy, molecular biology and population dynamics)
• Grantee: Fernando Luis Medina Mantelatto
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Thematic Grants