Feeding habits of an exotic species, the Mediterranean green crab Carcinus aestuarii, in Tokyo Bay
Rong Bin CHEN
Department of Aquatic Biosciences, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Minato, Tokyo 108-8477, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Seiichi WATANABE
Department of Aquatic Biosciences, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Minato, Tokyo 108-8477, Japan
*Tel: 81-3-5463-0535. Fax: 81-3-5463-0684. Email: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorMasashi YOKOTA
Department of Aquatic Biosciences, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Minato, Tokyo 108-8477, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorRong Bin CHEN
Department of Aquatic Biosciences, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Minato, Tokyo 108-8477, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Seiichi WATANABE
Department of Aquatic Biosciences, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Minato, Tokyo 108-8477, Japan
*Tel: 81-3-5463-0535. Fax: 81-3-5463-0684. Email: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorMasashi YOKOTA
Department of Aquatic Biosciences, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Minato, Tokyo 108-8477, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
ABSTRACT: Feeding habits of an exotic species, the Mediterranean green crab Carcinus aestuarii, in Tokyo Bay, Japan, were studied based on the analysis of stomach contents. Monthly samples were taken from May 2000 to October 2001 at stations near the Keihin Canal along the northern shore of Tokyo Bay. Stomach contents of 367 crabs (male n = 200, female n = 167) were examined. Carapace width ranged from 18.50 mm to 60.67 mm. Eleven food categories were identified: Bivalvia (mostly Mytilus galloprovincialis), other Mollusca, Cirripedia, Amphipoda, Brachyura, other Crustacea, Polychaeta, Pisces, unidentified animal materials, plant materials, and unidentified materials. The results showed that C. aestuarii is an omnivorous predator and that its diet depends greatly upon the availability of local prey species, especially in intertidal areas. Moreover, the analysis found no significant differences in the feeding habits of crabs of different sizes or sexes.
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