Comparison of Perisesarma Eumolpe’s food Composition and Food Rate between Undamaged and Damaged Areas at Can Gio Mangrove, Hochiminh City

Abstract

A study on the nutritional ecology of crab Perisesarma eumolpe was carried out to collect information onthis species as an important indicator of the natural succession in Can Gio mangrove forest. Crab Perisesarma eumolpe, a dominant species in Can Gio mangrove forest, has an important role in forests regeneration. Diet of crabs was studied by analysing 313 samples of stomach content. Results showed that Perisesarma eumolpe is an omnivorous species. Crabsliving in the undamaged forest had a higher level of stomach fill compared to those living in the damaged area. Diet composition consisted of seven food categories with different proportions of them among locations and among sampling habitats. Crabs living in the undamaged forest were found mainly eating leaves of Rhizophora apiculata, whereas, those living in the damaged forest mostly eating the bark of Rhizophora apiculata. The results suggest that Perisesarma eumolpe is able to adapt to upset environments during their process of growth and development. The findings also provide explanations for why the density and biomass of the crab population in the undamaged forest area were higher than in the damaged forest area.