Population structure and feeding habits of Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda in the bay environment, Southern Gulf of Thailand

Abstract

This study presents the first comprehensive assessment of the population structure and feeding habits of Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda in Thailand. Sample collection was conducted using crab gill nets at seven sampling sites characterized by distinct ecosystem attributes in Pattani Bay between February 2019 and March 2020. Our findings indicate the presence of a single Asian horseshoe crab (HSC) species within the bay, with a sex ratio of approximately 1:1 (48.1 % males, 51.9 % females) that did not deviate significantly from parity. Habitat variation within the bay did not influence HSC abundance (P > 0.05) whereas monthly abundance fluctuations were highly significant (P < 0.001), peaking in March and reaching the lowest in September. Positive correlations were observed between HSC abundance and environmental factors including dissolved oxygen, temperature, water pH, water depth, and chlorophyll c concentrations. Linear regression analysis revealed a positive correlation between morphometric characteristics and body weight. However, multiple linear regression analysis indicated a negative relationship between body weight and telson length (TEL) and opisthosoma width (OW) of males, as well as TEL of females. The size at which 50 % of the HSC population reached maturity (L₅₀) was estimated to be 12.2 cm for males and 13.5 cm for females based on prosomal width (PW). The average PW measurements of HSC at different egg stages (1–4) from developing to mature females was 14.4 cm, with corresponding body weights ranging from 224 to 243 g. Females at egg of stages 3 and 4 were found throughout the year, indicating multiple spawning events, particularly prevalent in January-April, and predominantly abundant at stations 1, 2, 5 and 6. HSC primarily consumed bivalves (22.1±21.2 %), followed by fishes (5.9±13.0 %) and crustaceans (2.9±9.0 %) by volumetric contribution (%V). This comprehensive study provides novel insights into the population dynamics and feeding ecology of HSC within Thailand. The findings establish a foundational framework for future research endeavors and offer critical data to inform the management and conservation of their habitats.