Sediment preference of coastal horseshoe crab (Tachypleus gigas) in an artificial spawning ground
Anis Syahira Abdul Halim A B , Mhd Ikhwanuddin
C , Noraznawati Ismail A , Mariam Taib A B and Faridah Mohamad A B *
A
B
C
Abstract
Spawning beaches are important for coastal horseshoe crabs, Tachypleus gigas (Müller, 1785), to sustain their population. Over time, T. gigas natural spawning area has gradually diminished owing to human and natural causes. T. gigas is being artificially bred in captivity to enhance its population.
The study aims to determine the T. gigas spawning preference for three different sediment sizes.
Spawning experiments were carried out in an indoor concrete tank representing an artificial spawning ground, consisting of three combinations of sediment sizes: coarse, medium and fine. The spawning of 45 pairs of T. gigas samples was observed within 3 h, the nests were marked and excavated on the next day. The number of eggs per nest was counted individually after being cleaned.
The 45 pairs of T. gigas produced 27,266–30,859 eggs. Among these, on the basis of the number of nests produced, T. gigas prefers to spawn in medium to coarse sediment with a particle-size range of 0.25–1.00 mm.
Our findings indicated that medium to coarse sediments are optimal for T. gigas spawning in artificial spawning grounds, because they could produce a high number of nests and eggs, increasing the number of juveniles released.
These results could be used as a baseline for the conservation management of T. gigas in captivity.
Keywords: artificial breeding site, captivity, conservation, eggs, hatchery management, marine arthropods, nesting, sediment selection.
References
Aini NK, Wardiatno Y, Mashar A, Effendi H, Madduppa H (2021) Short communication – the first inventory of the nest placement of horseshoe crab (Tachypleus gigas) in Indonesia. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science 744, 012001.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Andersson M, Wiklund CG, Rundgren H (1980) Parental defence of offspring: a model and an example. Animal Behaviour 28(2), 536-542.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Bo T, Fenoglio S, Malacarne G, Pessino M, Sgariboldi F (2007) Effects of clogging on stream macroinvertebrates: an experimental approach. Limnologica 37(2), 186-192.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Botton ML, Loveland RE, Jacobsen TR (1988) Beach erosion and geochemical factors: influence on spawning success of horseshoe crabs (Limulus polyphemus) in Delaware Bay. Marine Biology 99, 325-332.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Botton ML, Loveland RE, Tiwari A (2003) Distribution, abundance, and survivorship of young-of-the-year in a commercially exploited population of horseshoe crabs Limulus polyphemus. Marine Ecology Progress Series 265, 175-184.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Botton ML, Colon CP, Sclafani M, Loveland RE, Elbin S, Parkins K (2021) The relationships between spawning horseshoe crabs and egg densities: recommendations for the assessment of populations and habitat suitability. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 31(7), 1570-1583.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Brockmann HJ (1990) Mating behavior of horseshoe crabs, Limulus polyphemus. Behaviour 114, 206-220.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Carmichael RH, Brush E (2012) Three decades of horseshoe crab rearing: a review of conditions for captive growth and survival. Reviews in Aquaculture 4, 32-43.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Chatterji A, Shaharom F (2009) Unusual spawning behaviour of the horseshoe crab (Tachypleus gigas, Müller) after the Tsunami along Orissa Coast, India. Pertanika Journal of Science and Technology 17(2), 263-268.
| Google Scholar |
Chatterji A, Kassim Z, Shahuddin H, Shaharom F (2008) Abundance of three species of the horseshoe crab along the coast of Malaysia. The Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 105(3), 357-359.
| Google Scholar |
Chen C-P, Yeh H-Y, Lin P-F (2004) Conservation of the horseshoe crab at Kinmen, Taiwan: strategies and practices. Biodiversity and Conservation 13, 1889-1904.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Chen Y, Lau CW, Cheung SG, Ke CH, Shin PKS (2010) Enhanced growth of juvenile Tachypleus tridentatus (Chelicerata: Xiphosura) in the laboratory: a step towards population restocking for conservation of the species. Aquatic Biology 11, 37-46.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Chen CP, Yang MC, Fan LF, Qiu G, Liao YY, Hsieh HL (2015) Co-occurrence of juvenile horseshoe crabs Tachypleus tridentatus and Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda in an estuarine bay, southwestern China. Aquatic Biology 24, 117-126.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Chiu HMC, Morton B (2004) The behaviour of juvenile horseshoe crabs, Tachypleus tridentatus (Xiphosura), on a nursery beach at Shui Hau Wan, Hong Kong. Hydrobiologia 523, 29-35.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Fairuz-Fozi N, Satyanarayana B, Mat Zauki NA, Muslim AM, Husain M-L, Ibrahim S, Nelson BR (2018) Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda (Latreille, 1802) population status and spawning behaviour at Pendas coast, Peninsular Malaysia. Global Ecology and Conservation 15, e00422.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Faizul MIM, Christianus A, Amin SMN, Shafeeqa S, Rishzuan T (2011) Evaluation of growth performance of Tachypelus gigas (Muller, 1785) under two different culture system. Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Science 6, 788-794.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Faizul MIM, Faizal MM, Christianus A, Amin SMN (2013) Incubation and hatching of Tachypleus gigas (Muller, 1785) eggs in sand and water media. Asian Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances 8, 333-340.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Halim ASA, Mohamad F, Ahmad F, Ismail N, Chilek TZT, Ahmad AS, Cob ZC, Yusof KMKK (2021) Possible predation on commercial bivalves by Tachypleus gigas: an assessment of horseshoe crab reintroduction in Setiu Lagoon of Terengganu, Malaysia. Hydrobiologia 848, 841-855.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Hsieh HL, Chen CP (2009) Conservation program for the Asian horseshoe crab Tachypleus tridentatus in Taiwan: characterizing the microhabitat of nursery grounds and restoring spawning grounds. In ‘Biology and conservation of horseshoe crabs’. (Eds JT Tanacredi, ML Botton, DR Smith) pp. 417–438. (Springer: New York, NY, USA)
Hu M, Wang Y, Chen Y, Cheung SG, Shin PKS, Li Q (2009) Summer distribution and abundance of juvenile Chinese horseshoe crabs Tachypleus tridentatus along an intertidal zone in southern China. Aquatic Biology 7, 107-112.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Itaya S, Shuuno M, Onikura N, Tai A, Yano S (2022) Effect of intertidal elevation at Tsuyazaki Cove, Fukuoka, Japan on survival rate of horseshoe crab Tachypleus tridentatus eggs. Journal of Ocean University of China 21, 601-610.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
Itaya S, Koyama A, Shuuno M, Onikura N, Tai A, Yano S (2023) Spawning habitat suitability maps for the conservation of the tri-spine horseshoe crab Tachypleus tridentatus in Tsuyazaki Cove, Fukuoka, Japan. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 33, 884-896.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Jackson NL, Nordstrom KF, Smith DR (2005) Influence of waves and horseshoe crab spawning on beach morphology and sediment grain-size characteristics on a sandy estuarine beach. Sedimentology 52, 1097-1108.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
John BA, Nelson BR, Sheikh HI, Cheung SG, Wardiatno Y, Dash BP, Tsuchiya K, Iwasaki Y, Pati S (2018) A review on fisheries and conservation status of Asian horseshoe crabs. Biodiversity and Conservation 27(14), 3573-3598.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Johnson SL, Brockmann HJ (2012) Alternative reproductive tactics in female horseshoe crabs. Behavioral Ecology 23(5), 999-1008.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Kamann PJ, Ritzi RW, Dominic DF, Conrad CM (2007) Porosity and permeability in sediment mixtures. Groundwater 45, 429-438.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Kuang Y, Tan KA, Fu Y, Yang X, Xu P, Zhen W, Wang X, Huang X, Zhu J, Wang C-C, Kwan KY (2022) Influence of tidal cycles on embryonic rotation, hatching and emergence of mangrove horseshoe crab, Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda. Journal of Ocean University of China 21, 557-563.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Kwan BKY, Cheung JHY, Law ACK, Cheung SG, Shin PKS (2017) Conservation education program for threatened Asian horseshoe crabs: a step towards reducing community apathy to environmental conservation. Journal for Nature Conservation 35, 53-65.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Kwan KY, Fu Y, Zhong M, Kuang Y, Bai H, Zhang C, Zhen W, Xu P, Wang C-C, Zhu J (2022) Spatiotemporal distribution of Asian horseshoe crab eggs are highly intermingled with anthropogenic structures in northern Beibu Gulf, China. Journal of Ocean University of China 21(3), 531-540.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
Landau BJ, Jones DR, Zarnoch CB, Botton ML (2015) Development of aquaculture methods to enhance horseshoe crab populations: an example from Delaware Bay, USA. In ‘Changing global perspectives on horseshoe crab biology, conservation and management’. (Eds RH Carmichael, ML Botton, PKS Shin, SG Cheung) pp. 513–536. (Springer: Cham, Switzerland) doi:10.1007/978-3-319-19542-1_30
Leschen AS, Grady SP, Valiela I (2006) Fecundity and spawning of the Atlantic horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus, in Pleasant Bay, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA. Marine Ecology 27, 54-65.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Manca A, Mohamad F, Nelson BR, Sofa MFAM, Alia’m AA, Ismail N (2016) Trailing the spawning horseshoe crab Tachypleus gigas (Müller, 1785) at designated natal beaches on the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Cell & Developmental Biology 5(1), 171.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Mathers KL, Hill MJ, Wood CD, Wood PJ (2019) The role of fine sediment characteristics and body size on the vertical movement of a freshwater amphipod. Freshwater Biology 64(1), 152-163.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Mohamad F, Mohd Sofa MFA, Manca A, Ismail N, Che Cob Z, Ahmad AB (2019) Nests placements and spawning in the endangered horseshoe crab Tachypleus tridentatus (Leach, 1819) (Merostomata: Xiphosurida: Limulidae) in Sabah, Malaysia. Journal of Crustacean Biology 39(6), 695-702.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Nelson BR, Satyanarayana B, Hwei Zhong JM, Shaharom F, Sukumaran M, Chatterji A (2015) Episodic human activities and seasonal impacts on the Tachypleus gigas (Müller, 1785) population at Tanjung Selangor in Peninsular Malaysia. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 164, 313-323.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Nelson BR, Satyanarayana B, Moh JHZ, Ikhwanuddin M, Chatterji A, Shaharom F (2016) The final spawning ground of Tachypleus gigas (Müller, 1785) on the east Peninsular Malaysia is at risk: a call for action. PeerJ 4, e2232.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
Nelson BR, Zhong JMH, Mat Zauki NA, Satyanarayana B, Khan Chowdhury AJ (2019) Effects of shore sedimentation to Tachypleus gigas (Müller, 1785) spawning activity from Malaysian waters. Journal of Sustainability Science and Management 14(1), 41-60.
| Google Scholar |
Penn D, Brockmann HJ (1994) Nest-site selection in the horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus. The Biological Bulletin 187(3), 373-384.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
Rudloe A (1980) The breeding behavior and patterns of movement of horseshoe crabs, Limulus polyphemus, in the vicinity of breeding beaches in Apalachee Bay, Florida. Estuaries 3(3), 177-183.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Sasson DA, Chabot CC, Mattei JH, Brunson JF, Hall FK, Huber JH, Kasinak J-ME, McShane C, Puckette PT, Sundin G, Kingsley-Smith PR, Kendrick MR (2024) The American horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) spawns regularly in salt marshes. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 22, e2738.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Schreibman MP, Zarnoch CB (2009) Aquaculture methods and early growth of juvenile horseshoe crabs (Limulus polyphemus). In ‘Biology and conservation of horseshoe crabs’. (Eds JT Tanacredi, ML Botton, DR Smith) pp. 501–511. (Springer: New York, NY, USA) doi:10.1007/978-0-387-89959-6_31
Sekiguchi KS, Nishiwaki T, Makioka S, Srithunya S, Machjajib K, Nakamura K, Yamasaki T (1977) A study on the egg-laying habits of the horseshoe crabs, Tachypleus gigas and Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda, in Chonburi area of Thailand. Proceedings of the Japanese Society of Systematic Zoology 13, 39-45.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Smith DR, Robinson TJ (2015) Horseshoe crab spawning activity in Delaware Bay, USA, after harvest reduction: a mixed-model analysis. Estuaries and Coasts 38(6), 2345-2354.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Smith DR, Pooler PS, Loveland RE, Botton ML, Michels SF, Weber RG, Carter DB (2002) Horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) reproductive activity on Delaware Bay beaches: interactions with beach characteristics. Journal of Coastal Research 18(4), 730-740.
| Google Scholar |
Suniza AMS, Kassim Z, Chatterji A (2011) Effects of different environmental parameters on the respiratory metabolism of the larvae of Malaysian horseshoe crab, Tachypleus gigas (Müller). Pertanika Journal of Science and Technology 19(1), 1-9.
| Google Scholar |
Wang C-C, Kwan KY, Shin PKS, Cheung SG, Itaya S, Iwasaki Y, Cai L, Mohamad F, Fozi NF, Mat Zauki NA, Raman NJA, Chatterji A, Tripathy B, Sajan S, Min WW, Tan LJX, Supadminingsih FN, Wardiatno Y, Hsieh H-L (2020) Future of Asian horseshoe crab conservation under explicit baseline gaps: a global perspective. Global Ecology and Conservation 24, e01373.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Wentworth CK (1922) A scale of grade and class terms for clastic sediments. The Journal of Geology 30(5), 377-392.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Wisenden BD, Snekser JL, Stumbo AD, Leese JM (2008) Parental defence of an empty nest after catastrophic brood loss. Animal Behaviour 76(6), 2059-2067.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Wyse GA (1971) Receptor organization and function in Limulus chelae. Zeitschrift Für Vergleichende Physiologie 73, 249-273.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Xu P, Bai H, Xie X, Wang C-C, Huang X, Wang X, Zhang M, Ye Z, Zhu J, Zhen W, Cheung SG, Shin PKS, Kwan KY (2021) Tri-spine horseshoe crab aquaculture, ranching and stock enhancement: perspectives and challenges. Frontiers in Marine Science 8, 608155.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Zaleha K, Hazwani I, Hamidah HS, Kamaruzzam BY, Jalal KCA (2011) Effect of salinity on the egg hatching and early larvae of horseshoe crab Tachypleus gigas (Muller, 1785) in laboratory culture. Journal of Applied Sciences 11, 2620-2626.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Zaleha K, John BA, Atika HE, Kmaruzzaman BY, Jalal KCA (2012) Spawning and nesting behaviour of Tachypleus gigas along the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. International Journal of Biology 4(2), 102-111.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
