SpringerLink
Log in

Population structure of the South American Estuarine crab, Chasmagnathus granulatus (Brachyura: Varunidae) near the southern limit of its geographical distribution: comparison with northern populations

  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Crabs are among the most conspicuous and ecologically important invertebrates of the large intertidal zones that characterize estuarine and protected coastal areas in temperate regions. The habitat, population structure and breeding cycle of Chasmagnathus granulatus (Brachyura: Varunidae), a semiterrestrial burrowing crab endemic to the warm temperate coasts of the Southwestern Atlantic, were studied in San Antonio Bay (Argentina), near the southern limit of its range. San Antonio Bay has no freshwater input, winter is relatively colder, and summer warmer, than northern habitats of this species. Crabs lived both in vegetated and unvegetated zones, but density and sex ratio varied among dates and zones. The maximum observed density was 136 crabs/m2 , the maximum carapace width (CW) was 32 mm (males) and 29.8 mm (females), ovigerous females were found only in November and January, and the smallest ovigerous female measured 17 mm CW. The population structure, spatial distribution, and recruitment pattern of C. granulatusdid not differ between San Antonio Bay and northern habitats. The higher density, smaller maximum size and shorter reproductive cycle observed in San Antonio cannot be atributed to changes associated with a latitudinal cline and other factors, such as thermal amplitude and food availability, need to be studied.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
EUR 32.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or Ebook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price includes VAT (United Kingdom)

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • K. Anger C. Bas E. Spivak D. T. Ismael Luppi (1994) ArticleTitleHatching rhythms and dispersion of decapod crustacean larvae in a brackish coastal lagoon in Argentina Helgoländer Meeresuntersuchungen 48 445–466

    Google Scholar 

  • C. C. Bas E. D. Spivak (1995) Tolerancia a la salinidad en dos cangrejos estuariales, Chasmagnathus granulata y Cyrtograpsus angulatus VI Congreso Latinoamericano de Ciencias del Mar Mar del Plata Argentina

    Google Scholar 

  • C. C. Bas E. D. Spivak (2000) ArticleTitleEffect of salinity on embryos of two Southwestern Atlantic estuarine grapsid crab species cultured in vitro Journal of Crustacean Biology 20 IssueID4 647–656

    Google Scholar 

  • C.C Bas E.D Spivak (2003) ArticleTitleEffects of embryonic salinity exposure on larval development in two populations of the estuarine crab Chasmagnathus granulatus Dana (Crustacea: Brachyura) Invertebrate Reproduction and Development 43 IssueID2 117–123

    Google Scholar 

  • M. D. Bertness (1999) The Ecology of Atlantic Shorelines Sinauer Associates Inc. Publishers Sunderland, Massachusetts, USA

    Google Scholar 

  • A.E Bortolus O Schwindt Iribarne (2002) ArticleTitlePositive plant-animal interactions in the high marsh of an Argentinean coastal lagoon Ecology 83 733–742

    Google Scholar 

  • E. Boschi (1964) ArticleTitleLos crustáceos decápodos Brachyura del litoral bonaerense (R Argentina) Boletín del Instituto de Biología Marina, Mar del Plata 6 1–99

    Google Scholar 

  • Botto, J. L. & H. R. Irigoyen, 1979. Bioecología de la comunidad del cangrejal. 1: Contribución al conocimiento biológico del cangrejo de estuario, Chasmagnathus granulata Dana (Crustacea, Decapoda, Grapsidae) en la desembocadura del Río Salado, provincia de Buenos Aires. Seminario Latinoamericano de Ecología Bentónica y Sedimentología de la Plataforma Continental del Atlántico Sur. UNESCO, Montevideo, Uruguay: 161–169.

  • P. M. Cervellini M. M. Gutierrez A Ferrero (2000) Datos biométricos en adultos de Chasmagnathus granulata Dana (Decapoda, Grapsidae) en el estuario de Bahía Blanca IV Jornadas Nacionales de Ciencias del Mar Puerto Madryn Argentina

    Google Scholar 

  • G. Charmantier L. Giménez M. Charmatier-Daures K. Anger (2002) ArticleTitleOntogeny of osmoregulation, physiological plasticity and larval export strategy in the grapsid crab Chasmagnathus granulata (Crustacea, Decapoda) Marine Ecology Progress Series 229 185–194

    Google Scholar 

  • F. D’Incao ML Ruffino KG Silva Particleda A Costa Braga Particleda (1992) ArticleTitleResponses of Chasmagnathus granulata Dana (Decapoda: Grapsidae) to salt-marsh environmental variations Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 161 179–188

    Google Scholar 

  • A. Gavio E. D. Spivak (1994) Uso del hábitat, crecimiento relativo y dimorfismo sexual en dos especies simpátricas de Cyrtograpsus Abstract 2nd Taller sobre cangrejos y cangrejales Mar del Plata, Argentina

    Google Scholar 

  • A. Gavio T. Luppi S. Obenat E Spivak (1994) Historia de vida de Chasmagnathus granulata en la albúfera Mar Chiquita Abstract 2nd Taller sobre cangrejos y cangrejales Mar del Plata, Argentina

    Google Scholar 

  • L. Giménez (2002) ArticleTitleEffects of prehatching salinity and initial larval biomass on survival and duration of development in the zoea 1 of the estuarine crab, Chasmagnathus granulata, under nutritional stress Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 270 93–110

    Google Scholar 

  • L. Giménez K. Anger (2003) ArticleTitleLarval performance in an estuarine crab, Chasmagnathus granulata, is a consequence of both larval and embryonic experience Marine Ecology Progress Series 249 251–264

    Google Scholar 

  • M.G. Hadfield M.F. Strathmann (1996) ArticleTitleVariability, flexibility and plasticity in life histories of marine invertebrates Oceanologica Acta 19 323–334

    Google Scholar 

  • R.G. Hartnoll (1982) Growth L.G. Abele (Eds) The Biology of Crustacea, Vol. 2 Academic Press New York, USA 111–196

    Google Scholar 

  • B. Helmuth C.D.G. Harley P.M. Halpin M. O’Donnell G.E. Hofmann C.A. Blanchette (2002) ArticleTitleClimate change and latitudinal patterns of intertidal thermal stress Science 298 IssueID5595 1015–1017

    Google Scholar 

  • A. Hines (1989) ArticleTitleGeographic variation in size at maturity in brachyuran crabs Bulletin of Marine Science 45 356–368

    Google Scholar 

  • O. Iribarne A. Bortolus F. Botto (1997) ArticleTitleBetween-habitat differences in burrow characteristics and trophic modes in the southwestern Atlantic burrowing crab Chasmagnathus granulata Marine Ecology Progress Series 155 137–145

    Google Scholar 

  • O. Iribarne (Eds) (2001) Reserva de biosfera Mar Chiquita: características físicas, biológicas y ecológicas Editorial Martin Mar del Plata, Argentina

    Google Scholar 

  • F. I. Isla E. J. Schnack S Aliotta (1995) Evolution and sedimentary dynamics of San Antonio Bay, Rio Negro, Argentina Abstract 5th Congreso ABEQUA y 9th Simposio de Sedimentación Costera Niteroi, RJ, Brazil

    Google Scholar 

  • R. Ituarte E. Spivak T Luppi (2004) ArticleTitleFemale reproductive cycle of the Southwestern Atlantic estuarine crab Chasmagnatus granulatus (Brachyura: Grapsoidea: Varunidae) Scientia Marina 68 127–137

    Google Scholar 

  • M. B. Jones MJ Simmons (1983) ArticleTitleLatitudinal variation in reproductive characteristics of a mud crab, Helice crassa (Grapsidae) Bulletin of Marine Science 33 656–670

    Google Scholar 

  • O. Kinne (1970) Temperature: animals-invertebrates O. Kinne (Eds) Marine Ecology, Vol. 1 Environmental Factors Wiley-Interscience London, England 407–514

    Google Scholar 

  • T. Koga (1995) ArticleTitleMovements between microhabitats depending on reproduction and life history in the sand-bubbler crab Scopimera globosa Marine Ecology Progress Series 117 65–74

    Google Scholar 

  • D.J. Lonsdale J.S. Levinton (1985) ArticleTitleLatitudinal differentiation in copepod growth: an adaptation to temperature Ecology 66 1397–1407

    Google Scholar 

  • L. López E. Rodríguez (1998) ArticleTitleSomatic growth in juveniles of the estuarine crab Chasmagnathus granulata Dana 1851 (Brachyura, Grapsidae), under laboratory conditions Investigaciones Marinas Valparaiso 26 127–135

    Google Scholar 

  • L. López-Greco E. Rodríguez (1999) ArticleTitleAnnual reproduction and growth of adult crabs Chasmagnathus granulata (Crustacea, Brachyura, Grapsidae) Cahiers de Biologie Marine 40 155–164

    Google Scholar 

  • T. Luppi C. Bas E. Spivak K. Anger (1997) ArticleTitleFecundity of two grapsid crab species in the Laguna Mar Chiquita, Argentina Archive of Fisheries and Marine Research 45 149–166

    Google Scholar 

  • T. Luppi E. Spivak K. Anger (2001) ArticleTitleExperimental studies on predation and cannibalism of the settlers of Chasmagnathus granulata and Cyrtograpsus angulatus (Brachyura: Grapsidae) Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 265 29–48

    Google Scholar 

  • T. Luppi E. Spivak K. Anger J.L. Valero (2002) ArticleTitlePatterns and processes of Chasmagnathus granulata and Cyrtograpsus angulatus (Brachyura: Grapsidae) recruitment in Mar Chiquita coastal lagoon, Argentina Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science 55 287–297

    Google Scholar 

  • T. Luppi E. Spivak K. Anger (2002) ArticleTitlePostsettlement growth of two estuarine crab species, Chasmagnathus granulata and Cyrtograpsus angulatus (Crustacea, Decapoda, Grapsidae): laboratory and field investigations Helgoland Marine Research 55 293–305

    Google Scholar 

  • T. Luppi E. Spivak C. Bas K. Anger (2004) ArticleTitleMolt and growth of an estuarine crab, Chasmagnathus granulatus (Brachyura: Varunidae), in Mar Chiquita coastal lagoon, Argentina Journal of Applied Ichthyology 20 333–344

    Google Scholar 

  • P.D. MacDonald T.J. Pitcher (1979) ArticleTitleAge-groups from size-frequency data: a versatile and efficient method of analyzing distribution mixtures Journal of Fisheries Research Board of Canada 36 987–1001

    Google Scholar 

  • A.R. Piola L.M. Scasso (1988) ArticleTitleCirculación en el Golfo San Matias Geoacta 15 33–51

    Google Scholar 

  • M.L. Ruffino M.D. Telles F. D’Incao (1994) ArticleTitleReproductive aspects of Chasmagnathus granulata Dana, 1851 (Decapoda, Grapsidae) in the Patos lagoon estuary, Brazil Nauplius 2 43–52

    Google Scholar 

  • R.D. Sagarin S.D. Gaines (2002) ArticleTitleGeographical abundance distributions of coastal invertebrates: using one-dimensional ranges to test biogeographic hypotheses Journal of Biogeography 29 985–997

    Google Scholar 

  • L.M. Scasso A.R. Piola (1988) ArticleTitleIntercambio neto de agua entre el mar y la atmósfera en el Golfo San Matias Geoacta 15 13–31

    Google Scholar 

  • E. Schnack S. Aliotta F.I. Isla G.O. Lizasoain (1996) ArticleTitleFormas de fondo asociadas a un delta de reflujo macromareal, San Antonio Oeste, Provincia de Rio Negro, Argentina Thalassas 12 121–135

    Google Scholar 

  • M.J. Simons M.B. Jones (1981) ArticleTitlePopulation and reproductive biology of the mud crab, Macrophtalmus hirtipes (Jaquinot, 1853) (Ocypodidae), from marine and estuarine habitats Journal of Natural History 15 981–994

    Google Scholar 

  • E.D. Spivak (1997) ArticleTitleCangrejos estuariales del Atlántico sudoccidental (25°–41° S) (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura) Investigaciones Marinas, Valparaíso 25 105–120

    Google Scholar 

  • E. Spivak K. Anger T. Luppi C. Bas D. Ismael (1994) ArticleTitleDistribution and habitat preferences of two grapsid crab species in Mar Chiquita Lagoon (Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina) Helgoländer Meeresuntersuchungen 48 59–78

    Google Scholar 

  • E. Spivak K. Anger C. Bas T. Luppi D. Ismael (1996) ArticleTitleSize structure, sex ratio, and breeding season in two intertidal grapsid crab species from Mar Chiquita Lagoon, Argentina Nerítica 10 7–26

    Google Scholar 

  • E. Spivak T. Luppi C. Bas (2001) Cangrejos y Camarones: las relaciones organismo-ambiente en las distintas fases del ciclo de vida O. Iribarne (Eds) Reserva de biosfera Mar Chiquita: Características Físicas, Biológicas y ecológicas Editorial Martin Mar del Plata, Argentina 129–152

    Google Scholar 

  • A. Underwood (1997) Experiments in Ecology Cambridge University Press Cambridge, UK

    Google Scholar 

  • T. G. Wolcott (1988) Ecology. In Burggren W. W. Burggren B. R McMahon (Eds) Biology of the Land Crabs Cambridge University Press Cambridge, UK 55–96

    Google Scholar 

  • J. Zar (1996) Biostatistical Analysis EditionNumber3 Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, USA

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Mar Del Plata, Casilla de Correo 1245, Mar del Plata, 7600, Argentina

    Claudia Bas, Tomás Luppi & Eduardo Spivak

  2. Comisión Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina

    Claudia Bas & Tomás Luppi

Authors
  1. Claudia Bas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Tomás Luppi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Eduardo Spivak
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Claudia Bas.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bas, C., Luppi, T. & Spivak, E. Population structure of the South American Estuarine crab, Chasmagnathus granulatus (Brachyura: Varunidae) near the southern limit of its geographical distribution: comparison with northern populations. Hydrobiologia 537, 217–228 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-004-3075-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-004-3075-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation