In addition to contributing the majority of herbivory in many mangrove habitats, A. pisonii impacts lagoon ecosystems as an important producer of zooplankton to the surrounding water column. The production of thousands of crab zoeae is thought to be one of the main pathways of energy transfer between benthic and pelagic food webs (Schwamborn et al. 1999, Schwamborn et al. 2002, Schwamborn & Saint-Paul 1996). These zoeae join other invertebrate larvae that are consumed by a variety of organisms in and around mangrove communities.
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© Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce
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Indian River Lagoon Species Inventory
Author: LH Sweat
Revisions
- 2011-04-28 03:42:20 UTC
