Author(s): P. Kamalakkannan

Abstract: Healthy mangrove forests provide a critical habitat for many species of Crabs in intertidal and estuarine areas are keys to healthy marine ecology. Mangroves are the most suitable feeding, breeding and nursery grounds for crabs and other crustaceans. In this study, the habitat distribution and diversity of Crabs in Pondicherry Mangrove environment was recorded from January 2014 - December 2014. In view of the significance of the mangrove habitat, in the present study we selected two different stations with two different habitat specifications as non-mangrove site and natural mangrove site. Totally 19 species of brachyuran crabs were recorded belonging to 13 genera and 8 families. Crabs belonging to family Portunidae (4 species) followed by Ocypodidae, Grapsidae, Calappidae (3 species), Sesarmidae, Macrophthalmus (2 species), Varunidae and Gecarcinidae (1 species). The major outcome of this studyrnmaximum species diversity was found at natural mangrove site (Station-II) with 13 species, followed by least diversity was recorded at non-mangrove site (Station-I) with 9 species. The mangroves with vast network of leaves, roots and trunks offer a good niche for the brachyuran crabs.

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