Spatial Ecology of Fiddler Crabs,Uca pugnax, in Southern New England Salt Marsh Landscapes: Potential Habitat Expansion in Relation to Salt Marsh Change

Abstract

DISCLAIMER The o p i n i o n s and recommendations expressed i n t h i s r e p o r t a r e t h o s e o f t h e a u t h o r s and do n o t n e c e s s a r i l y r e f l e c t t h e v i e w s o f t h e U.S. F i s h and W i l d l i f e S e r v i c e , n o r does t h e m e n t i o n o f t r a d e names c o n s t i t u t e endorsement o r recom1983-19--. Species p r o f i l e s : l i f e h i s t o r i e s and e n v i r o n m e n t a l r e q u i r e m e n t s o f c o a s t a l f i s h e s and i n v e r t e b r a t e s . U.S. Grimes, E.H., F!.T. Huish, J.H. Kerby, and 0. Moran. 1989. Species p r o f i l e s : 1 i f e h i s t o r i e s and e n v i r o n m e n t a l r e q u i r e m e n t s o f c o a s t a l f i s h e s and i n v e r t eb r a t e s ( M i d -A t l a n t i c ) --A t l a n t i c marsh f PREFACEThis species profile is one of a series on coastal aquatic organisms, principal ly fish, of sport, commercial, or ecological importance. The profiles are designed to provide coastal managers, engineers, and biologists with a brief comprehensive sketch of the biological characteristics and environmental requirements of the species and to describe how populations of the species may be expected to react to environmental changes caused by coastal development. Each profile has sections on taxonomy, 1 ife history, ecological role, environmental requirements, and economic importance, if appl icable. A three-ri ng binder is used for this series so that new profiles can be added as they are prepared. This project is jointly planned and financed by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Pattern and scale: evaluating generalities in crab distributions and marsh dynamics from small plots to a national scale

“…Luk and Zajac (2013) found Uca pugnax in the northeastern United States to be most common in low marsh, but not eroding seaward edges. Luk and Zajac (2013) found Uca pugnax in the northeastern United States to be most common in low marsh, but not eroding seaward edges.…”

“…Luk and Zajac (2013) suggested that landward expansion of low marsh vegetation species may facilitate increased distribution of fiddler crabs. Luk and Zajac (2013) suggested that landward expansion of low marsh vegetation species may facilitate increased distribution of fiddler crabs.…”

Does loss of salt marsh vegetation caused by a native grapsid crab improve habitat suitability for the Atlantic mud fiddler ( Uca pugnax)?

“…Fell et al (1982) found that the highest densities of U. pugnax occurred in bare areas alongside a mosquito ditch compared to vegetated habitat. Johnson (2014) observed that U. pugnax was rarely found in vegetated areas as opposed to non-vegetated habitats and Luk and Zajac (2013) stated that the highest abundances of U. pugnax were associated with bare ground patches in salt marshes of Long Island Sound. Finally, Ogburn and Alber (2006) reported heavy fiddler crab bioturbation in marsh dieback areas of Georgia, suggesting high numbers of crabs in open areas.…”

The fiddler crab, Minuca pugnax, follows Bergmann's rule

“…The total effect of M. pugnax , however, will be a product of its population‐level and per‐capita effects. For instance, the total impact of M. pugnax at the most northern site studied here (Rowely, Massachusetts) is likely small because their densities are substantially lower (1–6 m −2 ) (K. S. Martinez‐Soto & D. S. Johnson, unpublished data) than those at lower latitudes (60–120 m −2 ) (Culbertson et al, ; Luk & Zajac, ).…”

“…Minuca pugnax are ecosystem engineers (sensu Jones, Lawton, & Shachak, 1994) that modify marsh habitats through their burrowing activity and can indirectly influence a suite of saltmarsh functions. Minuca pugnax can stimulate aboveground plant biomass (Bertness, 1985), reduce belowground plant biomass (Gittman & Keller, 2013), enhance nutrient cycling and decomposition (Holdredge, Bertness, Herrmann, & Gedan, 2010;Thomas & Blum, 2010), change infaunal densities (DePatra & Levin, 1989), and affect sediment erosion or accumulation (Katz, 1980;Smith & Green, 2015 (Culbertson et al, 2007;Luk & Zajac, 2013).…”