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Feeding habits of the pebble crab Eriphia smithi (Crustacea, Brachyura, Menippidae)

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Abstract

Eriphia smithi is a very common East African intertidal xanthoid crab. Its dietary input is based mainly in algal grazing (during the day) and predation (particularly at night). Predation appears quite opportunistic and mostly directed at crustaceans and molluscs, among which bivales largely predominate. Echinoderms are actively avoided and, contrary to common belief, predation on Prosobranchia is only accessory.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Biologia Animale e Genetica, 17 v. Romana, I-50125, Firenze, Italy

    M. Vannini, G. Chelazzi & F. Gherardi

Authors
  1. M. Vannini
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  2. G. Chelazzi
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  3. F. Gherardi
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Communicated by M. Sarà, Genova

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Vannini, M., Chelazzi, G. & Gherardi, F. Feeding habits of the pebble crab Eriphia smithi (Crustacea, Brachyura, Menippidae). Marine Biology 100, 249–252 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00391965

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00391965

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