Fabio,
I have read that Emerita is used here as bait, and I have observed that
shorebirds eat it too. Human food? Well, so far as I know, all crustaceans
are edible unless they have been eating something nasty, but this is a
surprise. There is not much meat on a mole crab.
Oil pollution does not seem to be as significant on the Alabama coastline as
other factors. In recent years, I have noticed an increase in the amount of
foam on the beach and in sand samples, especially in developed areas. Some
foam is natural, but this is new; it may be pollution from soap and
detergents. Donax variabilis seems to like a little turbidity in the water,
but not this. And ghost shrimps (callianassids) do not seem to like it
either. Does this ring a bell with anyone out in Conchland?
Andy
Andrew K. Rindsberg
Geological Survey of Alabama
-----Original Message-----
From: Conchologists List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
Wiggers
Sent: Tuesday, December 14, 2004 11:47 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Mole crabs
Here in south Brazil, mole crabs (Emerita brasiliensis) are very common and
abundant. Eventhough populations are seasonal, it seems that they have
decreased in the past years. One reason for that (besides oil pollution) is
collectin, as it is used for bait and for food (in some places).
It is always nice to see an Olivancillaria vesica praying on Emerita
brasiliensis.
Regards
Fabio Wiggers
--- Andy Rindsberg <[log in to unmask]> escreveu:
> Dear Conchlers,
>
> We've discussed the merits of Donax variabilis as an "environmental
> health indicator" on Gulf and Atlantic beaches in the U.S. I've also
> been measuring
> the ocurrence of mole crabs (Emerita talpoida) on Alabama
> beaches. For
> photos, see:
>
>
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/pictures/Eucarida.html
>
> What perplexes me is that I haven't seen many of them, even though we
> sampled at all seasons and in undeveloped areas as well as
> urbanized ones.
> My impression from the 70s is that if you built a sand castle,
> you would
> very often disturb a mole crab or two. On the beaches you know
> best, and
> bearing in mind that the populations are seasonal, have mole
> crab
> populations stayed pretty much the same, increased, or
> decreased in your
> experience?
>
> Cheers,
> Andy
>
> Andrew K. Rindsberg
> Geological Survey of Alabama
>
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