Subtropical Brazilian mangroves as a refuge of crab (Decapoda: Brachyura) diversity |
| |
Authors: | Karine Delevati Colpo M?nica Mungai Chacur Fernanda Jord?o Guimar?es and Maria Lúcia Negreiros-Fransozo |
| |
Institution: | (1) Universidade Estadual Paulista, Campus Experimental do Litoral Paulista—UNESP, S?o Vicente, SP, 11330-900, Brazil;(2) Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul—PB 351—UEMS, Dourados, MS, Brazil;(3) Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz—UESC, DCB/Sistemas Aqu?ticos Tropicais Rodovia Ilh?us/Itabuna, km 16, Ilh?us, BA, CEP 45650-000, Brazil;(4) Universidade Estadual Paulista, Departamento de Zoologia, IBB—UNESP, Botucatu, SP, 18618-000, Brazil |
| |
Abstract: | This study characterized seven mangrove areas of different sizes, located on the southeastern Brazilian coast, with respect
to their sediment and vegetation features. We also estimated the richness and composition of the brachyuran assemblages in
these mangroves. Crab, vegetation and sediment data were collected during low tide. The larger mangroves showed richer and
complex forests, and may be more ecologically stable than smaller mangroves. Twenty-eight species of crabs were recorded,
members of nine families: Panopeidae, Pinnotheridae, Gecarcinidae, Grapsidae, Sesarmidae, Varunidae, Ocypodidae, Ucididae,
and Portunidae. Ocypodoidea predominated over Grapsoidea in the smaller mangrove areas in pioneer stages of forest establishment,
whereas the opposite was recorded for larger and more stable mangroves, where the forest can reach advanced stage of development.
Comprido is a small mangrove, but its crab assemblage was similar to the larger ones, probably because of other factors not
investigated here (e.g., megalopa settling rate). This study provided basic knowledge for developing conservation strategies
for vulnerable mangrove ecosystems. |
| |
Keywords: | |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|