Zimba Paul V, Hill Erin M, Withers Kim
Center for Coastal Studies, Texas A&M University Corpus Christi, 6300 Ocean Drive, Unit 5866, Corpus Christi, TX 78412.
J Exp Mar Biol Ecol. 2016 Oct;483:53-58. doi: 10.1016/j.jembe.2016.06.005. Epub 2016 Jul 7.
Suspension-feeding porcelain crabs ( spp.) are often the most abundant decapod crustaceans in oyster reef habitat. Analysis of water column and subtidal algal biomass from three Texas estuaries suggests that planktonic food resources are insufficient for porcelain crab growth. Pigment composition of porcelain crab muscle and digestive track contents included the diatom pigment fucoxanthin and cyanobacterial pigment canthaxanthin with digestive track samples containing attached (adnate) benthic diatoms as well as benthic cyanobacteria not found in the water column. Feeding appendages on porcelain crabs include numerous cirri with serrated edges as well as fewer more brush-like longer units. Benthic food resources are in sufficient supply to support porcelain crab biomass.
悬浮取食的瓷蟹（某些物种）通常是牡蛎礁栖息地中数量最多的十足目甲壳类动物。对得克萨斯州三个河口的水柱和潮下带藻类生物量的分析表明，浮游食物资源不足以支持瓷蟹生长。瓷蟹肌肉和消化道内容物的色素组成包括硅藻色素岩藻黄质和蓝细菌色素角黄素，消化道样本中含有附着（固着）的底栖硅藻以及水柱中未发现的底栖蓝细菌。瓷蟹的摄食附肢包括许多边缘有锯齿的触须以及较少的、更像刷子的较长单元。底栖食物资源有足够的供应量来支持瓷蟹的生物量。
