Feeding in Ebalia tuberosa (Pennant) (Crustacea : Decapoda : Leucoshdae)

Abstract

Analysis of stomach contents showed the diet of Ebaiiu tuberosa (Pennant) to consist of small invertebrates, mainly annelids and crustaceans, although organic debris, pirtnt material, and sediment were also present. The crabs fed by probing the topmost layer of sediment with the chelae and captured and ingested any small invertebrates that they disturbed. Occasionally, small, slow-swimming crustaceans were stalked and captured. The crabs also fed on recently dead or moribund organisms. Crabs buried in the sediment showed little response to the presence of a living worm or to a model worm but following addition of food extract, the majority of crabs emerged and attacked both worm and model provided that they moved. Significantly more crabs moved upstream when in a current of water carrying food extract than when no extract was present in the current.