Feeding dynamics of the fiddler crab (Uca annulipes) in a non-tidal mangrove forest
N. Peer A B , N. A. F. Miranda A , R. Perissinotto A and J. L. Raw A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A DST/NRF Research Chair in Shallow Water Ecosystems, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, PO Box 77000, Port Elizabeth, 6031, South Africa.
B Corresponding author. Email: s213510448@nmmu.ac.za
Marine and Freshwater Research 67(5) 556-565 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF15038
Submitted: 28 January 2015 Accepted: 6 May 2015 Published: 6 August 2015
Abstract
To investigate the lack of tidal influence on the feeding dynamics of fiddler crabs, we used an in situ gut fluorescence technique to measure gut pigment content of Uca annulipes in the non-tidal mangrove habitat of the St Lucia Estuary. Measurements were taken over a 24-h cycle and in the two extreme seasons, austral summer and winter, to examine any diel and seasonal shifts in feeding. Three hour gut evacuation experiments were conducted to determine the gut evacuation rate and potential sexual differences in feeding. It was found that under lack of tidal fluctuations, U. annulipes feeding is influenced by diel rhythms. In summer, males displayed a bimodal pattern of feeding, becoming more active in the morning and late afternoon with a gut evacuation rate of 0.795 h–1, whereas females remained generally inactive and displayed short bouts of feeding during the day with a gut evacuation rate of 0.322 h–1. The summer grazing impact of U. annulipes on microphytobenthos was higher compared with winter. In winter both sexes were fairly inactive, but displayed a greater consumption efficiency (65% compared with 45% in summer). U. annulipes feeding dynamics in a non-tidal habitat are shown to vary seasonally, daily and among sexes.
Additional keywords: consumption efficiency, feeding impacts, gut fluorescence, ingestion rate, St Lucia Estuary.
References
Aguzzi, J., Cuesta, J. A., Librero, M., and Toja, J. (2005). Daily and seasonal feeding rhythmicity of Palaemonetes varians (Leach 1814) from southwestern Europe. Marine Biology 148, 141–147.| Daily and seasonal feeding rhythmicity of Palaemonetes varians (Leach 1814) from southwestern Europe.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Barnwell, F. H. (1966). Daily and tidal patterns of activity in individual fiddler crab (Genus Uca) from the Woods Hole region. The Biological Bulletin 130, 1–17.
| Daily and tidal patterns of activity in individual fiddler crab (Genus Uca) from the Woods Hole region.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaF287gtFOgug%3D%3D&md5=ad2cafd6c3c327edb016da9fa6ccce17CAS | 5907300PubMed |
Barnwell, F. H. (1968). The role of rhythmic systems in the adaptation of fiddler crabs to the intertidal zone. American Zoologist 8, 569–583.
Begg, G. W. (1978). The Estuaries of Natal (Part II). Natal Town and Regional Planning Commission Report, 41, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.
Bertness, M. D. (1985). Fiddler crab regulation of Spartina alterniflora production on a New England salt marsh. Ecology 66, 1042–1055.
| Fiddler crab regulation of Spartina alterniflora production on a New England salt marsh.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Carrasco, N. K., and Perissinotto, R. (2010). In situ feeding rates and grazing impact of Mesopodopsis africana O. Tattersall in the St Lucia Estuary, South Africa. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 396, 61–68.
| In situ feeding rates and grazing impact of Mesopodopsis africana O. Tattersall in the St Lucia Estuary, South Africa.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Chiesa, J. J., Aguzzi, J., García, J. A., Sardà, F., and de la Iglesia, H. O. (2010). Light intensity determines temporal niche switching of behavioural activity in deep-water Nephrops norvegicus (Crustacea: Decapoda). Journal of Biological Rhythms 25, 277–287.
| Light intensity determines temporal niche switching of behavioural activity in deep-water Nephrops norvegicus (Crustacea: Decapoda).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 20679497PubMed |
Crane, J. (1975). ‘Fiddler Crabs of the World: Ocypodidae: Genus Uca.’ (Princeton University Press: Princeton, NJ)
di Virgilio, A., and Ribeiro, P. D. (2013). Spatial and temporal patterns in the feeding behavior of a fiddler crab. Marine Biology 160, 1001–1013.
| Spatial and temporal patterns in the feeding behavior of a fiddler crab.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Díaz, E. R., Kraufvelin, P., and Erlandsson, J. (2012). Combining gut fluorescence technique and spatial analysis to to determine Littorina littorea grazing dynamics in nutrient-enriched and nutrient-unenriched littoral mesocosms. Marine Biology 159, 837–852.
| Combining gut fluorescence technique and spatial analysis to to determine Littorina littorea grazing dynamics in nutrient-enriched and nutrient-unenriched littoral mesocosms.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Dye, A. H., and Lasiak, T. H. (1986). Microbenthos, meiobenthos and fiddler crabs: trophic interactions in a tropical mangrove sediment. Marine Ecology Progress Series 32, 259–264.
| Microbenthos, meiobenthos and fiddler crabs: trophic interactions in a tropical mangrove sediment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Emmerson, W. D. (1994). Seasonal breeding cycles and sex ratios of eight species of crabs from Mgazana, a mangrove estuary in Transkei, Southern Africa. Journal of Crustacean Biology 14, 568–578.
| Seasonal breeding cycles and sex ratios of eight species of crabs from Mgazana, a mangrove estuary in Transkei, Southern Africa.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
France, R. (1998). Estimating the assimilation of mangrove detritus by fiddler crabs in Laguna Joyuda, Puerto Rico, using dual stable isotopes. Journal of Tropical Ecology 14, 413–425.
| Estimating the assimilation of mangrove detritus by fiddler crabs in Laguna Joyuda, Puerto Rico, using dual stable isotopes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gianuca, D., and Vooren, C. M. (2007). Abundance and behavior of the sally lightfoot crab (Grapsus grapsus) in the colony of the brown booby (Sula leucogaster) in the Sao Pedro and Sao Paulo Archipelago. Investigaciones Marinas 35, 121–125.
| Abundance and behavior of the sally lightfoot crab (Grapsus grapsus) in the colony of the brown booby (Sula leucogaster) in the Sao Pedro and Sao Paulo Archipelago.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Giguere, L. A. (1981). Food assimilation efficiency as a function of temperature and meal size in larvae of Chaoborus trivittatus (Diptera: Chaoboridae). Journal of Animal Ecology 50, 103–109.
| Food assimilation efficiency as a function of temperature and meal size in larvae of Chaoborus trivittatus (Diptera: Chaoboridae).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gillooly, J. F., Brown, J. H., West, G. B., Savage, V. M., and Charnov, E. L. (2001). Effects of size and temperature on metabolic rate. Science 293, 2248–2251.
| Effects of size and temperature on metabolic rate.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXntFCrtrk%3D&md5=b8b1ecd06cdeeecd7673e75623b48c4dCAS | 11567137PubMed |
Griffen, B. D., and Mosblack, H. (2011). Predicting diet and consumption rate differences between and within species using gut ecomorphology. Journal of Animal Ecology 80, 854–863.
| Predicting diet and consumption rate differences between and within species using gut ecomorphology.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 21418211PubMed |
Hoppe-Speer, S. C. L., Adams, J. B., and Rajkaran, A. (2013). Response of mangroves to drought and non-tidal conditions in St Lucia Estuary, South Africa. African Journal of Aquatic Science 38, 153–162.
| Response of mangroves to drought and non-tidal conditions in St Lucia Estuary, South Africa.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Icely, J. D., and Jones, D. A. (1978). Factors affecting the distribution of the genus Uca (Crustacea: Ocypodidae) on an East African shore. Estuarine and Coastal Marine Science 6, 315–325.
| Factors affecting the distribution of the genus Uca (Crustacea: Ocypodidae) on an East African shore.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jury, M. R. (1998). Statistical analysis and prediction of KwaZulu–Natal climate. Theoretical and Applied Climatology 60, 1–10.
| Statistical analysis and prediction of KwaZulu–Natal climate.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kibirige, I., and Perissinotto, R. (2003). In situ feeding rates and grazing impact of zooplankton in a South African temporarily open estuary. Marine Biology 142, 357–367.
Kim, T. W. (2010). Food storage and carrion feeding in the fiddler crab Uca lactea. Aquatic Biology 10, 33–39.
| Food storage and carrion feeding in the fiddler crab Uca lactea.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kronfeld-Schor, N., and Dayan, T. (2003). Partitioning of time as an ecological resource. Annual Review of Ecology Evolution and Systematics 34, 153–181.
| Partitioning of time as an ecological resource.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lim, S. S. L. (2004). A comparative study of some mouthpart adaptations of Uca annulipes (H. Milne Edwards, 1837) and U. vocans (Linnaeus, 1758) (Brachyura, Ocypodidae) in relation to their habitats. Crustaceana 77, 1245–1251.
| A comparative study of some mouthpart adaptations of Uca annulipes (H. Milne Edwards, 1837) and U. vocans (Linnaeus, 1758) (Brachyura, Ocypodidae) in relation to their habitats.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lopez, M. D. G., Huntley, M. E., and Sytles, P. F. (1988). Pigment destruction by Calanus pacificus: impact on the estimation of water column fluxes. Journal of Plankton Research 10, 715–734.
| Pigment destruction by Calanus pacificus: impact on the estimation of water column fluxes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaL1cXltFGltrk%3D&md5=6823f43f7c1e5508f9bb1446fe1a03d3CAS |
Mackas, D., and Bohrer, R. (1976). Fluorescence analysis of zooplankton gut contents and an investigation of diel feeding patterns. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 25, 77–85.
| Fluorescence analysis of zooplankton gut contents and an investigation of diel feeding patterns.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Miller, D. C. (1961). The feeding mechanism of fiddler crabs, with ecological considerations of feeding adaptations. Zoologica 46, 80–101.
Milner, R. N. C., Detto, T., Jennions, M. D., and Backwell, P. R. Y. (2010). Hunting and predation in a fiddler crab. Journal of Ethology 28, 171–173.
| Hunting and predation in a fiddler crab.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Miranda, N. A. F., Perissinotto, R., and Appleton, C. C. (2011). Feeding dynamics of the invasive gastropod Tarebia granifera in coastal and estuarine lakes of northern KwaZulu–Natal, South Africa. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 91, 442–449.
| Feeding dynamics of the invasive gastropod Tarebia granifera in coastal and estuarine lakes of northern KwaZulu–Natal, South Africa.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXhtFKrsr8%3D&md5=94773b47af8772b2a8ebc6d32c1c02ebCAS |
Mokhlesi, A., Kamrani, E., Backwell, P., and Sajjadi, M. (2011). Sexual differences in foraging behaviour of fiddler crab, Uca sindensis (Decapoda: Ocypodidae). Journal of the Persian Gulf 2, 37–44.
Navarro, J. M., and Winter, J. E. (1982). Ingestion rate, assimilation efficiency and energy balance in Mytilus chilensis in relation to body size and different algal concentrations. Marine Biology 67, 255–266.
| Ingestion rate, assimilation efficiency and energy balance in Mytilus chilensis in relation to body size and different algal concentrations.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Nel, H. A. (2014). Diversity of bivalve molluscs within the St Lucia estuarine system, with emphasis on the ecophysiology of Solen cylindraceus and Brachidontes virgiliae. Ph.D. Thesis, University of KwaZulu–Natal.
Nordhaus, I., Diele, K., and Wolff, M. (2009). Activity patterns, feeding and burrowing behaviour of the crab Ucides cordatus (Ucididae) in a high intertidal mangrove forest in North Brazil. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 374, 104–112.
| Activity patterns, feeding and burrowing behaviour of the crab Ucides cordatus (Ucididae) in a high intertidal mangrove forest in North Brazil.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Owen, R. K., and Forbes, A. T. (1997). Managing the St Lucia Estuary – messages from the Mud. Southern African Journal of Aquatic Sciences 23, 114–118.
| Managing the St Lucia Estuary – messages from the Mud.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Peer, N., Perissinotto, R., Taylor, R. H., and Miranda, N. A. F. (2014). Temporal variations in the diversity of true crabs (Crustacea: Brachyura) in the St Lucia Estuary, South Africa. African Invertebrates 55, 39–65.
| Temporal variations in the diversity of true crabs (Crustacea: Brachyura) in the St Lucia Estuary, South Africa.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Perissinotto, R. (1991). Mesozooplankton size-selectivity and grazing impact on the phytoplankton community of the Prince Edward Archipelago (Southern Ocean). Marine Ecology Progress Series 79, 243–258.
| Mesozooplankton size-selectivity and grazing impact on the phytoplankton community of the Prince Edward Archipelago (Southern Ocean).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Perissinotto, R., and Pakhomov, E. A. (1996). Gut evacuation rates and pigment destruction in the Antarctic krill Euphausia superba. Marine Biology 125, 47–54.
| Gut evacuation rates and pigment destruction in the Antarctic krill Euphausia superba.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK28XislKgs78%3D&md5=3acde3d1d4d6a8ae343eb26d135d5a0eCAS |
Perissinotto, R., Stretch, D. D., and Taylor, R. H. (2013). ‘Ecology and Conservation of Estuarine Ecosystems: Lake St Lucia as a Global Model.’ (Cambridge University Press: New York.)
Perissinotto, R., Miranda, N. A. F., Raw, J. L., and Peer, N. (2014). Biodiversity census of Lake St Lucia, iSimangaliso Wetland Park (South Africa): gastropod molluscs. ZooKeys 440, 1–43.
| Biodiversity census of Lake St Lucia, iSimangaliso Wetland Park (South Africa): gastropod molluscs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 25317060PubMed |
Pillay, D., and Perissinotto, R. (2008). The benthic macrofauna of the St Lucia Estuary during the 2005 drought year. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 77, 35–46.
| The benthic macrofauna of the St Lucia Estuary during the 2005 drought year.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Polidoro, B. A., Kent, E., Carpenter, L. C., Duke, N. C., Ellison, A. M., Ellison, J. C., Farnsworth, E. J., Fernando, E. S., Kathiresan, K., Koedam, N. E., Livingstone, S. R., Miyagi, T., Moore, G. E., Nam, V. N., Ong, J. E., Primavera, J. H., Salmo Iii, S. G., Sanciangco, J. C., Sukardjo, S., Wang, Y., and Yong, J. W. H. (2010). The loss of species: mangrove extinction risk and geographic areas of global concern. PLoS One 5, e10095.
| The loss of species: mangrove extinction risk and geographic areas of global concern.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 20386710PubMed |
Reinsel, K. A. (2004). Impact of fiddler crab foraging and tidal inundation on an intertidal sandflat: season-dependent effects in one tidal cycle. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 313, 1–17.
| Impact of fiddler crab foraging and tidal inundation on an intertidal sandflat: season-dependent effects in one tidal cycle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Reinsel, K. A., and Rittschof, D. (1995). Environmental regulation of foraging in the sand fiddler crab Uca pugilator Bosc 1802). Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 187, 269–287.
| Environmental regulation of foraging in the sand fiddler crab Uca pugilator Bosc 1802).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ribeiro, P. D., and Iribarne, O. O. (2011). Coupling between microphytobenthic biomass and fiddler crab feeding Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 407, 147–154.
| Coupling between microphytobenthic biomass and fiddler crab feedingCrossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Skov, M. W., and Hartnoll, R. G. (2001). Comparative suitability of binocular observation, burrow counting and excavation for the quantification of the mangrove fiddler crab Uca annulipes (H. Milne Edwards). Hydrobiologia 449, 201–212.
| Comparative suitability of binocular observation, burrow counting and excavation for the quantification of the mangrove fiddler crab Uca annulipes (H. Milne Edwards).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Stillman, J. H., and Barnwell, F. H. (2004). Relationship of daily and circatidal activity rhythms of the fiddler crab, Uca princeps, to the harmonic structure of semidiurnal and mixed tides. Marine Biology 144, 473–482.
| Relationship of daily and circatidal activity rhythms of the fiddler crab, Uca princeps, to the harmonic structure of semidiurnal and mixed tides.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Taylor, R. H. 2013. Management history. In ‘Ecology and Conservation of Estuarine Ecosystems: Lake St Lucia as a Global Model’. (Eds R. Perissinotto, D. D. Stretch, and R. H. Taylor.) pp. 21–45. (Cambridge University Press: New York.)
Weis, J. S., and Weis, P. (2004). Behavior of four species of fiddler crabs, genus Uca, in southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. Hydrobiologia 523, 47–58.
| Behavior of four species of fiddler crabs, genus Uca, in southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Weissburg, M. (1993). Sex and the single forager: gender-specific energy maximization strategies in fiddler crabs. Ecology 74, 279–291.
| Sex and the single forager: gender-specific energy maximization strategies in fiddler crabs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Welschmeyer, N. A. (1994). Fluorometric analysis of chlorophyll-a in the presence of chlorophyll-a and phaeopigments. Limnology and Oceanography 39, 1985–1992.
| Fluorometric analysis of chlorophyll-a in the presence of chlorophyll-a and phaeopigments.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2MXks1Sru70%3D&md5=23733e17b73e1e1fe450bcfeaf9b9802CAS |
Whitfield, A. K., and Taylor, R. H. (2009). A review of the importance of freshwater inflow to the future conservation of Lake St Lucia. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 19, 838–848.
| A review of the importance of freshwater inflow to the future conservation of Lake St Lucia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Whitfield, A. K., Bate, G. C., Forbes, T., and Taylor, R. H. (2013). Relinkage of the Mfolozi River to the St Lucia estuarine system – urgent imperative for the long-term management of a Ramsar and World Heritage Site. Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management 16, 104–111.
Wolfrath, B. (1992). Field experiments on feeding of European fiddler crab Uca tangeri. Marine Ecology Progress Series 90, 39–43.
| Field experiments on feeding of European fiddler crab Uca tangeri.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Zar, J. (1984) Comparing simple linear regression equations. In ‘Biostatistical Analysis’, 2nd edn. (Ed. J. H. Zar.) pp. 292–305. (Prentice Hall: Upper Saddle River, NJ, USA).
