Changes in the Diet of an Invasive Predatory Crab, <i>Chionoecetes opilio</i>, in the Degrading Benthic Community of an Arctic Fjord.

ABSTRACT: The introduction of a new species can lead to substantial changes in a new ecosystem. Local and introduced species' survival depends on their ability to adapt to the new environment. Studying such adaptations is often hindered by multiple factors affecting the ecosystem. The introduction of a large predatory snow crab, Chionoecetes opilio, into the Kara Sea, is a unique invasive species affecting an otherwise undisturbed ecosystem. The crab has caused drastic changes in the macro- and megabenthic taxonomic structure, abundance, and biomass of the most common species in an Arctic fjord, Blagopoluchiya Bay. Stomach content and stable isotope analysis were applied to study crabs' feeding habits. As the abundance of the most common prey items diminished, the crabs switched to other less

SUBMITTER: Kiselev AD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11504964 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature