Benthic microalgae serve as the major food resource for porcelain crabs (Petrolisthes spp.) in oyster reefs: Digestive track content and pigment evidence
| Autor: | Paul V. Zimba, Kim Withers, Erin M. Hill |
|---|---|
| Rok vydání: | 2016 |
| Předmět: |
0106 biological sciences
Oyster animal structures biology Ecology 010604 marine biology & hydrobiology fungi food and beverages Aquatic Science Plankton biology.organism_classification 010603 evolutionary biology 01 natural sciences Crustacean Petrolisthes body regions Fishery Porcelain crab Water column Diatom Benthic zone biology.animal geographic locations Ecology Evolution Behavior and Systematics |
| Zdroj: | Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology. 483:53-58 |
| ISSN: | 0022-0981 |
| Popis: | Suspension-feeding porcelain crabs (Petrolisthes spp.) are often the most abundant decapod crustaceans in oyster reef habitat. Analysis of water column and subtidal algal biomass from three Texas estuaries suggests that planktonic food resources are insufficient for porcelain crab growth. Pigment composition of porcelain crab muscle and digestive track contents included the diatom pigment fucoxanthin and cyanobacterial pigment canthaxanthin with digestive track samples containing attached (adnate) benthic diatoms as well as benthic cyanobacteria not found in the water column. Feeding appendages on porcelain crabs include numerous cirri with serrated edges as well as fewer more brush-like longer units. Benthic food resources are in sufficient supply to support porcelain crab biomass. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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