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Sewage input reduces the consumption of Rhizophora mangle propagules by crabs in a subtropical mangrove system
Boehm, F.R.; Sandrini-Neto, L.; Moens, T.; da Cunha Lana, P. (2016). Sewage input reduces the consumption of Rhizophora mangle propagules by crabs in a subtropical mangrove system. Mar. Environ. Res. 122: 23-32. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2016.09.003
In: Marine Environmental Research. Applied Science Publishers: Barking. ISSN 0141-1136; e-ISSN 1879-0291
Peer reviewed article  
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Keywords
    Rhizophora L. [WoRMS]; Ucides cordatus (Linnaeus, 1763) [WoRMS]
Author keywords
    Sewage; Mangrove crabs; Brazil; Herbivory; Mangrove propagules; Ucidescordatus; Rhizophora mangle; Benthic ecology; Nutrients
Authors  Top 
  • Boehm, F.R.
  • Sandrini-Neto, L.
  • Moens, T.
  • da Cunha Lana, P.
Abstract
    Mangrove forests are highly productive and play a major role in global carbon cycling. Their carbon accumulation can be influenced through the consumption of nutrient-poor leaves and propagules by herbivore crabs. Anthropogenic nutrient input from sewage contamination is widespread in these often naturally nutrient-limited ecosystems. We hypothesised that sewage-mediated nutrient input to mangrove stands of Paranaguá Bay (southern Brazil), would alter the nutrient sources available for crabs, e.g. through microphytobenthos increase, and that this would reflect in their feeding behaviour. We predicted that propagules of Rhizophora mangle in contaminated stands would experience lower grazing pressure from their two main local consumers (Ucides cordatus and Goniopsis cruentata). We compared herbivory rates on R. mangle propagules in sewage contaminated and uncontaminated mangrove stands. We found that herbivory rates were significantly lower in contaminated than uncontaminated forests, but this pattern could not be clearly attributed to increased nutrient availability.
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