Occurrence of unusual swarm of soldier crab, Dotilla myctiroides (H. Milne Edwards, 1852) in Gulf of Mannar, Southeast Coast of India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31783/elsr.2019.516366Keywords:
Dotillamyctiroides, soldier crabs, swarmAbstract
Soldier crab Dotilla myctiroides distributed in the Indian coast are usually espied in large numbers of dozens to hundreds on sandy beaches. However, in a rare occurrence, an unusual swarm movement of D. myctiroides was observed near shoreward side of Kundukal Bay, Pamban, on the southeast coast of Mandapam area under the Gulf of Mannar region. This swarm represented several thousands of D. myctiroides individuals within a10 m2exposed sandy beach area and occurred in densities of more than 500 per meter square area. Subsequent observations on population of D. myctiroides after two months also revealed declined population of few hundreds within a10 m2 area. Further studies are important to understand the key factors involved in population dynamics of D. myctiroides.
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