Academic Journal
Seasonal, morphodynamic, and vegetation drivers of ghost crab (Ocypode quadrata) populations on subtropical sandy beaches.
| Τίτλος: | Seasonal, morphodynamic, and vegetation drivers of ghost crab (Ocypode quadrata) populations on subtropical sandy beaches. |
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| Συγγραφείς: | do Vale JG; Postgraduate Programme in Ecology and Natural Resources, Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar), Rodovia Washington Luís: Km 235, São Carlos, SP, CP676, Brazil. julia.gvale@hotmail.com.; Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Federal University of São Carlos, Rodovia Washington Luís: Km 235, São Carlos, SP, Brazil. julia.gvale@hotmail.com., Chahad-Ehlers S; Department of Genetics and Evolution, Federal University of São Carlos, Rodovia Washington Luís: Km 235, São Carlos, SP, Brazil., Barrilli GHC; Postgraduate Programme in Environmental Oceanography (PPGOAM), Centre for Human and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Espírito Santo (CCHN-UFES), Av. Fernando Ferrari, 514, Goiabeiras, Vitória, Espírito Santo, 29075-900, Brazil.; Marine Fish Ecology Laboratory (LEPMAR), Department of Agricultural and Biological Sciences, Federal University of Espírito Santo, BR-101, Km 60, Litorâneo, São Mateus, Espírito Santo, 29932-540, Brazil., Gomes DF; Laboratory of Ecotoxicology and Applied Ecology (LEEA), Department of Hydraulics and Sanitation, São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil., Rocha O; Postgraduate Programme in Ecology and Natural Resources, Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar), Rodovia Washington Luís: Km 235, São Carlos, SP, CP676, Brazil.; Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Federal University of São Carlos, Rodovia Washington Luís: Km 235, São Carlos, SP, Brazil., Branco JO; Postgraduate Programme in Ecology and Natural Resources, Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar), Rodovia Washington Luís: Km 235, São Carlos, SP, CP676, Brazil.; Graduate Program in Environmental Sciences and Technology, University of Vale do Itajaí (UNIVALI), Itajaí, SC, Brazil. |
| Πηγή: | Environmental monitoring and assessment [Environ Monit Assess] 2026 Sep 04; Vol. 198 (9). Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Sep 04. |
| Τύπος έκδοσης: | Journal Article |
| Γλώσσα: | English |
| Στοιχεία περιοδικού: | Publisher: Springer Country of Publication: Netherlands NLM ID: 8508350 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1573-2959 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 01676369 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Environ Monit Assess Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Publication: 1998- : Dordrecht : Springer Original Publication: Dordrecht, Holland ; Boston : D. Reidel Pub. Co., c1981- |
| Ιατρικοί όροι (MeSH): | Brachyura*/growth & development , Brachyura*/physiology , Environmental Monitoring* , Bathing Beaches*, Animals ; Seasons ; Seashore ; Brazil ; Ecosystem ; Population Dynamics |
| Περίληψη: | Sandy beach ecosystems are increasingly affected by climatic variability and human pressures. The ghost crab Ocypode quadrata is widely used as a bioindicator of environmental conditions on sandy beaches. However, important gaps remain in understanding how natural sources of variability, such as seasonality and beach morphodynamics, influence its population dynamics. We evaluated seasonal and spatial variation in burrow density, biomass, carapace dimensions, and body condition, used here as morphological and population descriptors of O. quadrata, along morphodynamic gradient of sandy beaches in southern Brazil. Biomass and carapace dimensions, obtained through direct census, varied significantly among beaches and seasons, with higher values generally recorded on the reflective beach during summer, whereas intermediate and dissipative beaches showed higher values during winter. In contrast, body condition consistently peaked in autumn across all beaches. Burrow density, estimated through indirect census, did not vary significantly across seasons or beaches, but was positively associated with vegetation area, as were the other descriptors examined. These findings suggest that seasonal dynamics and habitat characteristics, including vegetation area, may be associated with variation in O. quadrata population descriptors across beaches differing in morphodynamic condition. Accounting for these natural sources of variability may support more reliable use of O. quadrata as a bioindicator in sandy beach ecosystems. (© 2026. The Author(s).) |
| Competing Interests: | Declarations. Ethical approval: The present study used the invertebrate crustacean Ocypode quadrata. Under current Brazilian regulations, ethical approval by a Committee for Ethics in Animal Use (CEUA) is not required for research involving invertebrate animals. Specimen collection was authorized by the competent environmental authority (SISBIO license no. 57786). All collection, handling, and euthanasia procedures followed recommendations described in the scientific literature for the appropriate care and welfare of decapod crustaceans (EFSA AHAW Panel, 2005). Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Ethical responsibilities: All authors confirm that they have reviewed and complied, where applicable, with the ethical standards outlined in the section entitled “Ethical Responsibilities of Authors” in the instructions for authors. |
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| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: Beach; Biological indicators; Brazil; Crustacean; Human pressures |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20260905 Date Completed: 20260905 Latest Revision: 20260923 |
| Update Code: | 20260923 |
| PubMed Central ID: | PMC13545024 |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s10661-026-15876-z |
| PMID: | 42697952 |
| Βάση Δεδομένων: | MEDLINE |
| ISSN: | 1573-2959 |
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| DOI: | 10.1007/s10661-026-15876-z |