‘Photography’ as a useful method for estimating the density, sex-ratio and body size of the surface-active Austruca perplexa (H. Milne Edwards, 1852) (Brachyura, Ocypodidae)

What is it about?

Estimation of crab density, sex-ratio, and body sizes is important but estimation of these parameters is challenging in the field. Though ‘burrow excavation’ method is widely used to estimate these parameters in surface-active crabs, it is destructive to crab populations. Therefore, an alternative non-destructive method is required. This study proposes an alternative non-destructive method (i.e., photography) and compares this method with the ‘burrow excavation’ method for estimating the density, sex-ratio, and body and claw sizes of the surface-active Austruca perplexa fiddler crabs. The results show that estimation of these parameters was not different between these two methods. Therefore, this study reveals that the non-destructive ‘photography’ method could be used as a useful alternative of the destructive ‘burrow excavation’ method.

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