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Intraspecific Interactions and Risk of Predation for Dyspanopeus sayi (Decapoda: Xanthidae) Living on Polychaete (Filograna implexa, Serpulidae) Colonies *
Author(s) -
Heck Kenneth L.,
Hambrook Julie Anne
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
marine ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.668
H-Index - 58
eISSN - 1439-0485
pISSN - 0173-9565
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0485.1991.tb00256.x
Subject(s) - polychaete , biology , callinectes , predation , decapoda , intraspecific competition , fishery , ecology , intertidal zone , zoology , crustacean
. Along the Atlantic coast of the United States, the mud crab Dyspanopeus sayi frequently occurs in crevices and depressions within aggregated calcareous tubes (termed “heads”) of the serpulid polychaete Filograna implexa. In New Jersey, U.S.A., waters, crab number was significantly correlated with the logarithm of worm tube colony volume. Laboratory experiments suggested that crabs compete for shelter within worm colonies. Additional laboratory experiments indicated that colony occupancy greatly decreased the risk of predation by blue crabs ( Callinectes sapidus), and field tethering experiments also demonstrated that colony occupancy significantly decreased predation risk. Thus, the consequence of holding space on worm tube heads is a greatly increased probability of survival.