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Seasonal, morphodynamic, and vegetation drivers of ghost crab (Ocypode quadrata) populations on subtropical sandy beaches.

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Title: Seasonal, morphodynamic, and vegetation drivers of ghost crab (Ocypode quadrata) populations on subtropical sandy beaches.
Authors: 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.
Source: Environmental monitoring and assessment [Environ Monit Assess] 2026 Sep 04; Vol. 198 (9). Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Sep 04.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Language: English
Journal Info: 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-
MeSH Terms: Brachyura*/growth & development , Brachyura*/physiology , Environmental Monitoring* , Bathing Beaches*, Animals ; Seasons ; Seashore ; Brazil ; Ecosystem ; Population Dynamics
Abstract: 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.
References: Mar Environ Res. 2025 Aug 27;212:107488. (PMID: 40884997)
Mar Environ Res. 2022 Nov;181:105760. (PMID: 36206641)
Science. 2006 Nov 3;314(5800):787-90. (PMID: 17082450)
J Environ Manage. 2020 Apr 15;260:110168. (PMID: 32090851)
J Environ Manage. 2014 Nov 1;144:322-35. (PMID: 25014753)
Mar Pollut Bull. 2021 Feb;163:111832. (PMID: 33223133)
Comp Biochem Physiol A Comp Physiol. 1987;88(3):383-6. (PMID: 2892609)
Mar Environ Res. 2021 Feb;164:105239. (PMID: 33422898)
PLoS One. 2013 Dec 23;8(12):e83792. (PMID: 24376748)
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
Database: MEDLINE
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  Data: Seasonal, morphodynamic, and vegetation drivers of ghost crab (Ocypode quadrata) populations on subtropical sandy beaches.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22do+Vale+JG%22">do Vale JG</searchLink>; 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.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Chahad-Ehlers+S%22">Chahad-Ehlers S</searchLink>; Department of Genetics and Evolution, Federal University of São Carlos, Rodovia Washington Luís: Km 235, São Carlos, SP, Brazil.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Barrilli+GHC%22">Barrilli GHC</searchLink>; 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.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Gomes+DF%22">Gomes DF</searchLink>; 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.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Rocha+O%22">Rocha O</searchLink>; 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.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Branco+JO%22">Branco JO</searchLink>; 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.
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  Data: 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.<br /> (© 2026. The Author(s).)
– Name: Abstract
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  Data: 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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  Data: Mar Environ Res. 2025 Aug 27;212:107488. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2240884997%22">40884997)</searchLink><br />Mar Environ Res. 2022 Nov;181:105760. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2236206641%22">36206641)</searchLink><br />Science. 2006 Nov 3;314(5800):787-90. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2217082450%22">17082450)</searchLink><br />J Environ Manage. 2020 Apr 15;260:110168. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2232090851%22">32090851)</searchLink><br />J Environ Manage. 2014 Nov 1;144:322-35. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2225014753%22">25014753)</searchLink><br />Mar Pollut Bull. 2021 Feb;163:111832. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2233223133%22">33223133)</searchLink><br />Comp Biochem Physiol A Comp Physiol. 1987;88(3):383-6. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%222892609%22">2892609)</searchLink><br />Mar Environ Res. 2021 Feb;164:105239. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2233422898%22">33422898)</searchLink><br />PLoS One. 2013 Dec 23;8(12):e83792. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2224376748%22">24376748)</searchLink>
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