Leaf consumption and experimental discrimination of stable isotopes between mangrove leaves and the tree-climbing crab (Brachyura: Sesarmidae: Aratus pisonii)

Londoño, Luis Alejandro Sandoval; Mancera‐Pineda, José Ernesto; Delgado‐Huertas, Antonio; Blanco-Libreros, Juan F.; Leal-Flórez, Jenny

doi:10.1016/j.ecss.2022.107906

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…In this study, we detected a significant negative relation between the C/N ratio of mangrove leaves and the contribution of leaves to crab diets. This result is comparable with that of Sandoval et al (2022), who found that Aratus pisonii had the lowest intake rate of mangrove leaves with a high C/N ratio (155 ± 23) and the highest intake rate of those with a low C/N ratio (51 ± 18). Similarly, Chen and Ye (2008) found that leaf-eating crabs increased feeding rates on leaves with low C/N ratios.…”

Section: Relationship Between the C/n Ratio And Food Contribution Of ...supporting

confidence: 88%

Tidal zone effects on the diet composition of leaf-eating crabs in natural mangrove communities: a stable isotope analysis

Lu,

Gu,

Zhang

et al. 2024

Front. Mar. Sci.

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BackgroundIn natural mangrove communities, mangrove species are often distributed zonally. Leaf-eating crabs are one of the most abundant and iconic arboreal brachyurans in mangrove forests, but variation in the composition of crab diets in different mangrove tidal zones is unknown.MethodsTo determine the contributions of mangrove leaves and other organic carbon (C) sources to leaf-eating crab diets, dual stable C and nitrogen (N) isotope signatures (δ13C and 1δ5N) were used in a Bayesian stable isotope mixing model. We conducted experiments at various tidal levels in the Dongzhaigang Bay National Natural Reserve in China. We analyzed δ13C and δ15N of leaf-eating crabs, mangrove leaves, sediment organic matter (SOM), and animal tissues (prey).ResultsThe food composition of the dominant crab species, Parasesarma continentale, exhibited significant differences among the four tidal zones. From the margin to the high tide zone, the main food source shifted from predominantly mangrove leaves and SOM to primarily SOM and animal tissues. We observed a significant negative relationship between the C/N ratios of mangrove leaves and the proportion of leaves consumed by leaf-eating crabs. Additionally, as the tidal level increased, the C/N ratio of mangrove leaves also increased, whereas the proportion of leaves consumed by crabs decreased.ConclusionLeaf-eating crab diets vary significantly across tidal zones, highlighting the importance of considering tidal zone differentiation when studying consumer diets in mangrove ecosystems.

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Section: Relationship Between the C/n Ratio And Food Contribution Of ...supporting

confidence: 88%

Tidal zone effects on the diet composition of leaf-eating crabs in natural mangrove communities: a stable isotope analysis

Lu,

Gu,

Zhang

et al. 2024

Front. Mar. Sci.

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“…Overall, a compact food web supports the macroinvertebrates community in the ARD where herbivores and deposit feeders are the groves, while deposit feeders feed on mangroves and macrophytes (Sandoval et al, 2022b). The importance of mangrove leaf in the herbivores' diet in the ARD has also been exhibited experimentally (Sandoval et al, 2022a). Thus, herbivores (crabs of the Sesarmidae and Grapsidae families) and deposit feeders (crabs of the Ocypodidae family) constituted the first consumers within the trophic structure of the system (Fig.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 80%

The isotopic niche of the macrobenthos in a major mangrove area of the southern Caribbean Sea

Sandoval

2023

Invertzool

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Trophic organization of the mangrove macrobenthos communities is poorly known. Using nitrogen (δ 15 N) and carbon (δ 13 C) stable isotope analysis, and Bayesian models, this paper assesses the isotopic niche size and overlap between the trophic guilds of the macrobenthos in the Atrato River Delta estuary (Colombia). A total of 10 species encompassed four trophic guilds. A compact food web supports the macrobenthos, where the isotopic niche size of the community was 3.3‰ 2 . The isotopic niche size was larger for deposit feeders (4.3‰ 2 ) than omnivores (3.3‰ 2 ), followed by herbivores (1.9‰ 2 ) and carnivores (1.3‰ 2 ). Considerable overlap of isotopic niche space was found between herbivores (crabs of the Sesarmidae family) and deposit feeders (crabs of the Ocypodidae family). Both former trophic guilds constituted the first consumers within the trophic structure of the system. There also was considerable overlap between the highest trophic levels (omnivores and carnivores). These results can potentially be useful to understanding and monitoring changes in this community. How to cite this article: Sandoval L.A. 2023. The isotopic niche of the macrobenthos in a major mangrove area of the southern Caribbean Sea // Invert.

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“…After fall, leaf consumption averages 4.1 ± 2.2 (0.1–15) Mg ha −1 year −1 or 2.0 ± 1.1 (0.3–7.2) Mg C ha −2 year −1 , with the highest values found in mangroves where sesarmid crabs are abundant, which can consume up to 87% of the total litterfall of the forest floor (Lee, 1998; Malley, 1978; Thongtham et al, 2008; Table 1). Similar to pre‐fall herbivory, the herbivory of fallen leaves differs by litter age; for example, the diet of the crab Aratus pisonii is dominated by fresh, not senescent, Rhizophora mangle leaves (Sandoval et al, 2022).…”

Section: Carbon Transformationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, data were few and variable, and additional empirical studies are needed to quantify this carbon flux. Observational studies (Feller & Chamberlain, 2007), controlled field experiments (e.g., propagule tethering), or stable isotopes and mesocosm experiments (e.g., Sandoval et al, 2022) could be helpful. More studies are also needed that couple litterfall and downed wood with breakdown and its sequestration in the soil, their consumption or export through tidal exchange (Cragg et al, 2020; Van der Stocken et al, 2017, 2019).…”

Section: Knowledge Gaps Future Directions and Management Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Deconstructing the mangrove carbon cycle: Gains, transformation, and losses

Adame,

Cormier,

Taillardat

et al. 2024

Ecosphere

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Mangroves are one of the most carbon‐dense forests on the Earth and have been highlighted as key ecosystems for climate change mitigation and adaptation. Hundreds of studies have investigated how mangroves fix, transform, store, and export carbon. Here, we review and synthesize the previously known and emerging carbon pathways in mangroves, including gains (woody biomass accumulation, deadwood accumulation, soil carbon sequestration, root and litterfall production), transformations (food web transfer through herbivory, decomposition), and losses (respiration as CO2 and CH4, litterfall export, particulate and dissolved carbon export). We then review the technologies available to measure carbon fluxes in mangroves, their potential, and their limitations. We also synthesize and compare mangrove net ecosystem productivity (NEP) with terrestrial forests. Finally, we update global estimates of carbon fluxes with the most current values of fluxes and global mangrove area. We found that the contributions of recently investigated fluxes, such as soil respiration as CH4, are minor (<1 Tg C year−1), while the contributions of deadwood accumulation, herbivory, and lateral export are significant (>35 Tg C year−1). Dissolved inorganic carbon exports are an order of magnitude higher than the other processes investigated and were highly variable, highlighting the need for further studies. Gross primary productivity (GPP) and ecosystem respiration (ER) per area of mangroves were within the same order of magnitude as terrestrial forests. However, ER/GPP was lower in mangroves, explaining their higher carbon sequestration. We estimate the global mean mangrove NEP of 109.1 Tg C year−1 (7.4 Mg C ha−1 year−1) or through a budget balance, accounting for lateral losses, a global mean of 66.6 Tg C year−1 (4.5 Mg C ha−1 year−1). Overall, mangroves are highly productive, and despite losses due to respiration and tidal exchange, they are significant carbon sinks.

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Leaf consumption and experimental discrimination of stable isotopes between mangrove leaves and the tree-climbing crab (Brachyura: Sesarmidae: Aratus pisonii)

Cited by 5 publications

References 37 publications

Tidal zone effects on the diet composition of leaf-eating crabs in natural mangrove communities: a stable isotope analysis

Tidal zone effects on the diet composition of leaf-eating crabs in natural mangrove communities: a stable isotope analysis

The isotopic niche of the macrobenthos in a major mangrove area of the southern Caribbean Sea

Deconstructing the mangrove carbon cycle: Gains, transformation, and losses

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