Species-specific diets and spatial variation in the feeding habits of mud crabs Scylla spp. in Thailand
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1590/2675-2824074.25048Keywords:
Diet breadth, Diet overlap, Fullness index, Stomach content, Habitat influenceAbstract
This study examined the dietary compositions of three sympatric mud crab species-Scylla olivacea, S. tranquebarica, and S. paramamosain-across six coastal provinces of Thailand, encompassing the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. A total of 4,112 individuals, mainly S. olivacea, were collected monthly from June 2022 to June 2023, and stomach contents were analyzed volumetrically. Prey compositions, vacuity index (VI), fullness index (FI), diet breadth, and diet overlap were quantified. Fish constituted the predominant prey item for all three species, representing 56.0%, 57.8%, and 42.5% of the diet in S. olivacea, S. tranquebarica, and S. paramamosain, respectively. Secondary prey items exhibited interspecific variation: crabs for S. olivacea (15.1%), and bivalves for both S. paramamosain (22.7%) and S. tranquebarica (24.8%). Gastropods contributed significantly to the diet of S. paramamosain (9.1%). Multivariate analyses revealed distinct dietary separations between the three Scylla species. Significant site-specific variation in the diet of S. olivacea was observed between Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea (P < 0.05). In contrast, no significant differences in dietary composition were detected between male and female crabs for either S. olivacea or S. paramamosain. These findings elucidate species-specific dietary preferences and the influence of habitat on the trophic ecology of these mud crab species, providing pertinent insights for aquaculture practices and sustainable resource management strategies.
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