The role of the non-indigenous green crab (Carcinus maenas) in the decline of a unique strain of Irish moss (Chondrus crispus): direct and indirect effects

Abstract

Abstract A unique strain of the red alga Irish moss (Chondrus crispus) is found solely amongst clumps of blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) in a coastal lagoon in Atlantic Canada. Since about 2000, its bed area has shrunk by >99.9%, coinciding with the arrival of the non-indigenous green crab (Carcinus maenas). This study tested two mechanisms by which green crabs may harm the Irish moss. The hypothesis that green crabs directly consume the alga was tested by exposing fronds and clumps to crabs. Crab interaction with the clumps caused limited fragmentation, consumption was very small, and the condition (visible grazing damage) of fronds did not change significantly. A second hypothesis, that during predation and handling of mussels green crabs indirectly displace the seaweed and remove its attachment substrate, was addressed by placing crabs with Irish moss-mussel clumps containing either large or small mussels. Green crabs removed and ate up to 100% of the small mussels but did not consume or displace large mussels. This study concludes that direct consumption is not a plausible mechanism for green crabs to harm this strain. Instead, green crabs harm could be mediated by mussels, whose removal deprives the giant Irish moss of positional stability.