Feeding habits of the freshwater crab Sodhiana iranica from Southern Iran

Abstract

Abstract Aim: Freshwater crab, Sodhiana iranica, is an endemic gecarcinucid crab that has been recently reported from Southern Iran. This research examined some feeding aspects of S. iranica from Eelood freshwater spring, Southern Iran. Methods Crabs were randomly sampled from April 2012 to April 2013, on a bimonthly basis. The stomach contents were obtained from 120 exemplars with carapace width ranging from 15.0 to 35.2mm. Results Results showed stomach contents consist of mainly large quantities of plant remains, insects, oligochaetes, crustaceans and also small quantities of unidentifiable matter and debris. Major food groups were observed in different season, with plant remains the most dominant in spring (39.8%), whereas in autumn, the insects and crustaceans were dominant with 38.6% and 23.1%, respectively. The other food items include oligochaetes and debris, were the most abundant in summer (19.0%) and winter (15.5%), respectively. There were no difference observed in the quantity of the food consumed in both sexes and also significant differences observed in the preference for food items in the different season. The CV index varied significantly in both sexes that were ranged between 1.4 to 38.9% and 12.5 to 83.3%, for male and female, respectively. Conclusions Despite the diversity in diets and feeding habits of S. iranica, it was shown an herbivore-biased omnivore mainly rely on plant sources.