A note on tree climbing by the crab Helice crassa in mangrove swamps 

Cox, G. J. 

1976 

 

 

Article in journal 

Observations of large numbers of H. crassa climbing to {approx} 1 m in a mangrove swamp at Oyster Point, Kaipara Harbour, New Zealand are reported. Climbing activity was generally restricted to the period immediately after high tide while the trees were still wet but it did occur on warm, humid days until well into low tide. When on the trees the crabs appeared to be feeding since they scraped alternate chelae across the surface of the substrate and then lifted each chela to the mouth. It is considered that the high density reported for H. crassa in mangrove swamps can be partially attributed to the extended feeding range available to the crabs which can feed not only on the surface of the mud but also on the trees above. 

 

Article Taxonomic Terms: Helice crassa; Point; Q1 01424 Age and growth; Article Geographic Terms: PSE, New Zealand, Kaipara Harbour, Oyster; Mangrove swamps; Tides; Q1 01281 General; Marine; Biogeophysical; behaviour; Article Subject Terms: Locomotion; Feeding; Population density