Invasive European green crab (Carcinus maenas) predation in a Washington State estuary revealed with DNA metabarcoding.

ABSTRACT: Predation by invasive species can threaten local ecosystems and economies. The European green crab (Carcinus maenas), one of the most widespread marine invasive species, is an effective predator associated with clam and crab population declines outside of its native range. In the U.S. Pacific Northwest, green crab has recently increased in abundance and expanded its distribution, generating concern for estuarine ecosystems and associated aquaculture production. However, regionally-specific information on the trophic impacts of invasive green crab is very limited. We compared the stomach contents of green crabs collected on clam aquaculture beds versus intertidal sloughs in Willapa Bay, Washington, to provide the first in-depth description of European green crab diet at a particularly cruci

SUBMITTER: Fisher MC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11142710 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature