Abundance, distribution and ecology of the tufted ghost crab Ocypode cursor (Linnaeus, 1758) (Crustacea: Ocypodidae) from a recently colonized urban sandy beach, and new records from Sicily (central Mediterranean Sea)

Tiralongo, Francesco; Messina, Giuseppina; Marino, S.; Bellomo, Sebastiano; Vanadia, Antonio; Borzì, Laura; Tibullo, Daniele; Stefano, Agata Di; Lombardo, Bianca Maria

doi:10.1016/j.seares.2019.101832

Cited by 14 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…This is further substantiated by the fact that [8] found that asymmetry in genitalia was in sync with lateralized mating behavior. This speculation is reflected in another study that found females search for homoclawed partners [32]. Additional study is required to understand the selection pressures on the species and if there is any deviation from the present norm in the future.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Thus, we conclude that this phenomenon of handedness, in this systematic group, is still puzzling, and no convincing ecological or evolutionary explanation has yet been forwarded. Although other Ocypode species have been studied extensively (review in [22,32], the endemic Red Sea ghost crabs (O. saratan Forskål, 1775; RSGC) remain largely unstudied in its geographic range in general [33,34], and in Israel, in particular. Hence, we undertook to study the species at the only beach where the species still exists in Eilat, southern Israel.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Individual Laterality in Ghost Crabs (Ocypode saratan) Influences Burrowing Behavior

et al. 2021

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Behavioral handedness is known to enhance an individual’s handling capabilities. However, the ecological advantages in brachyuran crustaceans remain unclear, despite the Ocypode species having been studied extensively. Thus, in this study, we analyzed the laterality of the endemic Red Sea ghost crab on one beach in Eilat, Israel. We successfully documented the laterality of the large cheliped in 125 crabs; in 60 (48.0%), the right cheliped was larger, and in 64 (51.2%), the left. We also observed temporal segregation between the right- and left-clawed crabs. The right-handed crabs start activity just after sunrise, while left-handed crabs appear ca. 40 min after it. Similarly, temporal segregations were also observed in the evening. The right-clawed crab activity peaked ca. 20 min before sunset, while the left-clawed crabs were active uniformly. Additionally, burrow entrances corresponded to the larger cheliped of the resident individual and is probably a self-defense-related behavior. We conclude that cheliped laterality in O. saratan populations should be considered as a bimodal trait, where left- and right-handedness is not under natural selection pressure.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Individual Laterality in Ghost Crabs (Ocypode saratan) Influences Burrowing Behavior

et al. 2021

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“…In contrast, the soil in the highly impacted plot is hard and therefore, the crabs take longer time to bore holes through it. Apart from human presence, temperature can also influence species abundance and distribution [28].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Human Disturbance on Fiddler Crab (<i>Uca tangeri</i>) Burrow Morphology, Distribution and Chemistry at Eagle Island, Niger Delta, Nigeria

Numbere¹

2020

OJMS

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Fiddler crabs are described as ecosystem engineers because of their burrow constructing ability. It was hypothesized that human activity will impact crab burrows. The study area was delineated into lowly, medium and highly impacted plots. Crab holes were randomly counted and their width, length and surface area estimated. Burrow soils were collected and analyzed for Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb) and Zinc (Zn) using spectrophotometric method (HACH DR 890 colorimeter). The result indicates that burrow width was significantly different between impacted plots (P < 0.05). Lowly impacted plot had the largest width while highly impacted plot had the smallest width. In contrast, there was no significant difference in burrow length (P > 0.05), but highly impacted plot has the longest length while lowly impacted plot has the shortest length. Again, the surface area of crab burrow varies significantly (P < 0.05), and lowly impacted plot had the largest area (507.95 ± 61.84 cm 2 ) followed by medium (390.30 ± 57.65 cm 2 ) and high (265.16 ± 30.85 cm 2 ) impacted plots. Similarly, lowly impacted area has more number of burrows (n = 55) followed by medium (n = 30) and highly (n = 23) impacted plots. Highly impacted plot had the highest Cd and Pb concentration whereas lowly impacted plot had the highest Zn concentration. This implies that burrow morphology and chemistry exemplify the level of anthropogenic impact.

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“…Despite their small size, ghost crabs are ecologically important for the coastal ecosystem. This species plays a vital role in maintaining the equilibrium of its habitat, as they function both as predators and scavengers (Schuchman & Warburg, 1978; Tiralongo et al, 2020). Ghost crabs feed on a variety of small invertebrates, including mollusks, crustaceans and insects and are also known to scavenge on carrion (Sakai & Türkay, 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The expansion of the Atlantic–Mediterranean ghost crab Ocypode cursor (Linnaeus, 1758): Distribution, environmental niches and future perspectives

Marchessaux,

Gjoni,

Tantillo

et al. 2024

Aquatic Conservation

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The tufted ghost crab Ocypode cursor (Linnaeus, 1758) found in the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean is currently a great example that elucidates concerns within scientific and conservation communities. This species, native to the subtropical Atlantic Ocean and the warmest southeastern Mediterranean Sea (Egypt), has been extending its distribution in both regions since the 1980s, likely due to the warming sea temperatures. These small nocturn crabs are typically found inhabiting sandy beaches and dune environments. This species is an opportunistic predator eating terrestrial and marine prey, especially on sea turtle eggs. Despite its status as a threatened species by two European conventions, there is a lack of knowledge of its ecology and biology. Sometimes considered as an indicator of good ecological status of beaches where it lives, this ghost crab could nevertheless benefit from climate change to extend its distribution range. This review aims to create a baseline on the current knowledge and gaps in the published scientific literature on the ghost crab. Additionally, through an analysis of the existing literature, we also offer insights into the potential risk of beach erosion associated with the expansion of this species.

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Abundance, distribution and ecology of the tufted ghost crab Ocypode cursor (Linnaeus, 1758) (Crustacea: Ocypodidae) from a recently colonized urban sandy beach, and new records from Sicily (central Mediterranean Sea)

Cited by 14 publications

References 35 publications

Individual Laterality in Ghost Crabs (Ocypode saratan) Influences Burrowing Behavior

Individual Laterality in Ghost Crabs (Ocypode saratan) Influences Burrowing Behavior

Impact of Human Disturbance on Fiddler Crab (<i>Uca tangeri</i>) Burrow Morphology, Distribution and Chemistry at Eagle Island, Niger Delta, Nigeria

The expansion of the Atlantic–Mediterranean ghost crab Ocypode cursor (Linnaeus, 1758): Distribution, environmental niches and future perspectives

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Abundance, distribution and ecology of the tufted ghost crab Ocypode cursor (Linnaeus, 1758) (Crustacea: Ocypodidae) from a recently colonized urban sandy beach, and new records from Sicily (central Mediterranean Sea)

Cited by 14 publications

References 35 publications

Individual Laterality in Ghost Crabs (Ocypode saratan) Influences Burrowing Behavior

Individual Laterality in Ghost Crabs (Ocypode saratan) Influences Burrowing Behavior

Impact of Human Disturbance on Fiddler Crab (&lt;i&gt;Uca tangeri&lt;/i&gt;) Burrow Morphology, Distribution and Chemistry at Eagle Island, Niger Delta, Nigeria

The expansion of the Atlantic–Mediterranean ghost crab Ocypode cursor (Linnaeus, 1758): Distribution, environmental niches and future perspectives

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Impact of Human Disturbance on Fiddler Crab (<i>Uca tangeri</i>) Burrow Morphology, Distribution and Chemistry at Eagle Island, Niger Delta, Nigeria