Effect of Temperature on the Emergence from Burrows of the Soldier Crab, Mictyris longicarpus (Latreille)

Abstract

Emergence of M. longicarpus from their burrows was studied in the laboratory under controlled conditions of tide, light and temperature. More crabs emerged at hotter temperatures than at colder temperatures within the range 14.5-29.0ºC. However, most crabs emerged within 1 h of the water draining from their tanks regardless of temperature within the same range. These patterns of emergence seem to be important to the crab's feeding behaviour. It is advantageous to emerge at higher temperatures when feeding is more rapid than at lower temperatures. Early emergence enables the crab to undertake long treks to obtain food.