Trophic interactions of fiddler crabs (Uca spp.) with black mangrove (Avicennia germinans) detrital matter as a result of mangrove encroachment; 2018 and 2019

Woody plant encroachment is reshaping communities in both terrestrial and coastal environments, but little is known about its effects on basal consumers. We used interactions between fiddler crabs (Uca spp.) and the encroaching mangrove Avicennia germinans in Gulf of Mexico salt marshes to explore trophic interactions between basal consumers and encroaching shrubs. Fiddler crabs were collected from wetlands in Galveston, Texas in summer 2018 and 2019 and used in a series of food preference and food quality trials. Through these trials we collected data on the relative attractiveness and quality of black mangroves and smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) as food sources for fiddler crabs.木本植物扩侵（Woody plant encroachment）正在重塑陆地与海岸环境中的生态群落，但目前学界对其给基础消费者（basal consumers）带来的影响仍知之甚少。本研究以墨西哥湾（Gulf of Mexico）盐沼（salt marshes）中，招潮蟹（Uca spp.）与扩侵性红树林白骨壤（Avicennia germinans）之间的种间互作为研究对象，探究基础消费者与扩侵性灌木之间的营养级互作关系。本研究于2018年及2019年夏季，从美国得克萨斯州（Texas）加尔维斯顿（Galveston）的湿地中采集招潮蟹，并开展了一系列食物偏好与食物质量实验。通过上述实验，我们获取了黑红树林与互花米草（Spartina alterniflora）作为招潮蟹食物源的相对吸引力与食用质量相关数据。