STOMACH CONTENTS AND FEEDING HABIT OF Plagusia depressa (Fabricius, 1775) (CRUSTACEA DECAPODA: PLAGUSIIDAE) IN SANDSTONE REEFS OF NORTHEAST BRAZIL
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65259/rnzool.v12i1.20Keywords:
Brachyura, crab, diet, ecology, herbivoryAbstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the natural diet of the species Plagusia depressa, to unravel the relationship of the species with the environment and their natural diet. A total of 60 individuals were collected and examined between December 2013 and November 2014, of which 33 were males, 26 females and 1 individual of undeterminate sex. The samples were taken by hand during the night at Sonho Verde reefs, Northeastern Brazil, during low tide. Individuals were sent to the laboratory to remove of stomachs for further analysis. The stomachs were ranked in three stages of fullness to denote the volume, separating a low filling (21.43%), medium filling (26.79%) and full (51.78%). In all stomachs, there were great amount not identified material, a result of the advanced stage of digestion of the items. The items found had their frequency of occurrence calculated being Algae the most representative item. The method of points and feeding index reinforce the predominance for algae items. In the environment was observed that the species is mostly herbivorous, but accidentally and opportunistically ingests animal items.
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References
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