Spatial distribution of the ghost crabOcypode quadratain low‐energy tide‐dominated sandy beaches

The spatial distribution of the ghost crab Ocypode quadrata (Crustacea, Brachyura) was described in five low‐energy tide‐dominated sandy beaches in Sao Sebastiao Channel (Grande, Zimbro, Pitangueiras, Cabelo Gordo, and Segredo). On each beach, the zonation study was performed on five random 1 m wide transects sampled from the water line to the vegetation. In general, individuals occurred above 1 m in height in relation to mean low water (MLW) and peaked between 1.5 and 2.0 m. The sandy beaches were then divided into three 1 m wide strips (tidal levels) parallel to the water line and equivalent to medium intertidal, upper intertidal, and subterrestrial fringe to test the effect of beach and tidal level on the abundance and size of O. quadrata. These strips were sampled as a whole using adjacent 1 m2 squares. A previous evaluation showed a positive significant relationship between carapace length and burrow diameter, thus supporting crab size estimates from burrow openings. The smallest individuals occurred...