Reproductive status and burrow characteristics of females of the fiddler crab Tubuca rosea (Tweedie, 1937) (Brachyura, Ocypodidae) in southern Thailand

Abstract

Abstract We investigated the burrow characteristics (shapes, diameters, total and horizontal lengths, total depths, ground and mid angles, and volumes) of 39 large-sized Tubuca rosea (Tweedie, 1937) females (22 ovigerous; 17 non-ovigerous). We observed I- and J-shaped burrows in both ovigerous and non-ovigerous females, with higher numbers of J-shaped burrows in ovigerous females. However, in non-ovigerous females, I- and J-shaped burrow numbers were not different. Other burrow characteristics had higher values in ovigerous females than in non-ovigerous females. In ovigerous females, I- and J-shaped burrows were not different in diameters, total lengths, total depths, or volumes, but horizontal lengths, ground angles and mid angles were higher in J-shaped burrows. In non-ovigerous females, burrow characteristics (except diameter) were higher in J-shaped burrows than in I-shaped burrows. Our results show for the first time that burrow characteristics differ based on the reproductive status of female fiddler crabs in T. rosea.