Orientation and external morphology of burrows of the mangrove crab Ucides cordatus (Crustacea: Brachyura: Ucididae)

Author(s)

Dos Santos, Camila M. H. ^{[1, 2]} ; Pinheiro, Marcelo A. A. ^{[1, 2]} ; Hattori, Gustavo Y. ^{[2, 3]}

Affiliation

^[1] UNESP, BR-11330900 Sao Vicente, SP - Brazil

^[2] Grp Pesquisa Biol Crustaceos CRUSTA, BR-69100000 Itacoatiara, AM - Brazil

^[3] Univ Estado Amazonas, Ctr Estudos Super Itacoatiara, BR-69100000 Itacoatiara, AM - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom; v. 89, n. 6, p. 1117-1123, SEP 2009.
• Web of Science Citations: 6

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to characterize the external morphology and the orientation of burrows constructed by the mangrove crab Ucides cordatus. Data were obtained from two mangrove forests of similar vegetation dominance (Laguncularia racemosa) but differing in flooding heights. These mangroves were located near Barra de Icapara, Iguape City (SP), Brazil, (24 degrees 50'36 `' S-47 degrees 59'53'W). A total of 221 burrows were examined (120 on the high mangrove and 101 on the low mangrove). External morphology of the burrows was recorded by photographs for categorization and description. The directions of the burrow openings were recorded using a geological compass and the declivities of the ducts were measured with a clinometer. Females constructed 70.8% at Site A and 69.4% at Site B of the occupied burrows with the opening facing the margin of the river (P < 0.001), whilst males showed no significant difference in the burrow orientation (P > 0.05) at either site. In females, the tendency for burrow orientation possibly has a reproductive connotation as larval dispersal may be favoured and enhanced by the tides. Four groups of distinct tracks related to the morphotypes and developmental stages of U. cordatus were observed, No sediment constructions associated with the burrows were recorded for this species. Declivity of the burrows from juveniles was lower than from adults (P < 0.05), probably caused by the differential growth of the chelipeds in this species. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 05/00269-3 - External morphology of Ucides cordatus (Linnaeus, 1763) (Crustacea, Brachyura, Ocypodidae) digged burrows and their magnetic north orientation
• Grantee: Camila Mayumi Hirata dos Santos
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation