| Popis: |
Coastal regions are one of the most crucial ecosystems as they support biology of numerous vertebrate and invertebrate taxa which provide economic aid to mankind. Monitoring of the natural resources of the coasts and to test the ecological impact of human disturbance therefore becomes necessary. The present study was conducted from 26th January to 18th February 2019 to investigate the effect of anthropogenic impacts on the population (burrow density, distribution and size) and burrow characteristics (burrow length, depth, inclination angle, weight and volume) of Dotilla blanfordi Alcock, 1900. Total eight sandy beaches of Gujarat and Maharashtra states of India were examined. The beaches were categorised into pristine, moderately impacted or heavily impacted sites on the basis of various levels of anthropogenic pressures. It was found that the burrow density was observed maximum at the low impacted sites (Tithal --21.11±13.53; Dandi site-2 --20.66±11.23), as compared to the moderately impacted sites (Umargam-- 16.11±21.62; Gorai-- 20±10.77; Uran-- 7.11±10.99) and heavily impacted sites (Kuda-- 5.11±14.24; Koliyak-- 1.56±2.01; Dandi site 1-- 11.78±8.27). The crabs built simple burrows in heavily impacted sites as compared to the complex burrows in the moderately affected and pristine sites. Burrow weight and burrow volume showed significant variation across all study sites as compared to other morphological traits. The results inferred that anthropogenic stress can directly influence the distribution and burrow morphology of Dotilla blanfordi. The results also suggested utility of D. blanfordi as an indicator species for effective coastal management but the outcomes would benefit with a comprehensive study of environmental as well as ecological characters. |
