Some aspects of distribution and population structure in the sand bubbler crab Scopimera inflata Milne Edwards, 1873 (Decapoda, Ocypodidae)

Abstract

Scopimera inflata occurs in well-defined aggregations on tropical and subtropical sandy beaches of the eastern Australian coast. Males tend to occur on the landward side of an aggregation, females on the seaward side. The density of crab holes is greatest near the centre of an aggregation and declines quite rapidly on either side. Larger animals tend to occur on the landward side of an aggregation, the average size decreasing towards the seaward margin. Aggregations probably move up and down the beach in accordance with the tidal cycle.