@article{fdi:010081266,
  title = {{I}nfluence of environmental conditions on the distribution of burrows of the mud crab, {S}cylla serrata, in a fringing mangrove ecosystem},
  author = {{L}eoville, {A}lexandre and {L}agarde, {R}. and {G}rondin, {H}. and {F}aivre, {L}. and {R}asoanirina, {E}. and {T}eichert, {N}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{M}ud crab, {S}cylla serrata, is a common mangrove species in the {I}ndian {O}cean. {O}ver the last decades, fishing pressure has greatly increased especially in {M}adagascar. {T}herefore, improving the knowledge of mud crab biology and ecology is crucial to guide conservation and restoration plans. {T}his study aimed at describing the distribution of burrows of the mud crab in a mangrove in southwestern {M}adagascar. {B}urrows fulfill an essential functional role by limiting the exposure of crab to environmental stress, such as desiccation during low tide, and predation. {A} total of 140 burrows were observed and available conditions were described at 168 random sampling points at low tide in three different mangrove zones, during the dry season ({J}uly 2014). {T}welve environmental factors were recorded to reflect the position within the mangrove, the substrate composition and the surrounding floristic structure. {A} multivariate ordination analysis highlighted an overall association between burrows and specific habitat conditions. {B}oosted regression trees then indicated that the burrows distribution was predominantly explained by the avoidance of hard substrates. {T}he occurrence of burrows was positively related to the upper intertidal zone of the mangrove where the water level was below 100 cm. {A}lthough the tree density had a positive effect, the occurrence of burrows was higher for low percentage of shade (<40%). {T}hese results provide insight for identifying mangrove areas that have an essential functional role for the conservation of mud crab populations.},
  keywords = {{M}angrove crab ; {C}rustacean ; {H}abitat conditions ; {S}ubstratum composition ; {F}loristic structure ; {OCEAN} {INDIEN} ; {MADAGASCAR}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{R}egional {S}tudies in {M}arine {S}cience},
  volume = {43},
  numero = {},
  pages = {101684 [9 p.]},
  ISSN = {2352-4855},
  year = {2021},
  DOI = {10.1016/j.rsma.2021.101684},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010081266},
}