The fiddler crab Minuca pugnax () (Decapoda: Brachyura: Ocypodidae) reduces saltmarsh algae in its expanded range. Issue 6 (24th September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Johnson, David S; Martínez-Soto, Kayla S; Pant, Manisha; Wittyngham, Serina S; Goetz, Emily M
• Is Part Of: Journal of crustacean biology. Volume 40:Issue 6(2020)
• Page Start: 668
• Page End: 672
• Publication Date: 2020-09-24
• Subjects: climate change -- microphytobenthos -- range expansion -- range shift -- top-down control -- Uca pugnax; Crustacea -- Periodicals; Crustacés -- Périodiques; Crustacea; Periodicals; 595.305
• DOI: 10.1093/jcbiol/ruaa073
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0278-0372

Abstract

Abstract: It is well known that species across the world are expanding or shifting their ranges because of climate change. Yet, we know little about their impact on the habitats they colonize. In an observational study, we examined the effect of the fiddler crab Minuca pugnax (Smith, 1870 ) on benthic microalgal biomass in salt marshes in its expanded range (northeastern Massachusetts, USA). We found that plots with M. pugnax had, on average, 74% lower diatom biomass and 77% lower cyanobacteria biomass than plots without M. pugnax . Our results indicate that this climate migrant can impact saltmarsh functioning by limiting benthic microalgal biomass.