Dietary Composition of the Marine Crab, Charybdis Lucifera (Fabricius, 1798) from Nagapattinam, Southeast Coast of India

Abstract

The marine crab, Charybdis lucifera [Family Portunidae] occurs in commercially exploitable quantities in India. To study
the food and feeding studies, specimens of C.lucifera were collected from Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu, Southeast coast of
India. Samples of crabs [male and female] [ranging 50mm to 150mm CW [Carapace width] were collected once in a month
for a period of one year. Point’s method were followed to ascertain the percentage contribution of gut contents. The feeding
intensity, the degree of fullness of stomach was recorded in relation to carapace width of the crab and season before cutting
the stomach for analyzing different food items. The results revealed that the mean percentage contribution [%] food items
of the crustacean remains dominated with 57% followed by molluscan remains 15%, fish remains 10%, detritus 9% and
undigested matter 9% in male C. lucifera, whereas in females, food items found similar to males such as crustacean
remains 54%, molluscan remains 16%, fish remains 11%, detritus 10% and undigested matter 9%. The mean feeding
intensity in different months for male and female crab C. lucifera were also performed and discussed.