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Dataset of microplastics in the mangrove brachyuran crabs at Setiu Wetlands, Peninsular Malaysia
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This dataset documents microplastic contamination found in four species of mangrove crabs with different feeding habits at Setiu Wetlands in Malaysia. The data reveal that microplastics accumulate in these crabs regardless of feeding strategy, indicating widespread contamination in mangrove ecosystems.
The present dataset provides information on the abundance of microplastics (MPs) in relation to different feeding habits of the four mangrove brachyuran crab species namely and at Setiu Wetlands in Peninsular Malaysia. Three sites namely, Pulau Layat (upstream, close to the core mangrove zone), Kampung Pengkalan Gelap (midstream, close to the settlements), and Pulau Sutung (downstream, close to the shifted river mouth) were chosen for the sample collection (through hand catch method and traps) in both the dry (Feb-Mar 2021) and the wet (Dec 2021 - Jan 2022) seasons. The cardiac stomach of each crab was dissected, digested in potassium hydroxide and then filtered through a 1.6 µm pore size glass fibre filter using the vacuum pump. The abundance, type and colour of MPs per crab individual were determined under a stereomicroscope (Carl Zeiss Stemi 508, China) attached to the digital camera (Axiocam 208 colour). The general abundance of MPs was found in the order of carnivorous > microphytobenthos feeder > herbivorous > detritivorous . The data also reveal morphometric measurements such as body weight, gut weight, carapace width and carapace length of the crab specimens. The information given in this article is useful for study replications and scientific comparisons, especially with brachyuran crabs and other organisms with similar feeding guilds, in the mangroves of Malaysia and elsewhere.
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Commercially important mangrove crabs are more susceptible to microplastic contamination than other brachyuran species
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Researchers studied microplastic contamination in four species of brachyuran crabs from mangrove habitats in Malaysia's Setiu Wetlands. The study found that commercially important mud crabs (Scylla olivacea) accumulated significantly more microplastics than other species due to their carnivorous feeding behavior, with higher contamination levels during dry seasons when reduced water circulation limited pollutant dispersal.
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Researchers found 2,292 microplastic particles per kilogram of sediment in the mangrove wetlands of Setiu, Malaysia, with over 80% being tiny fibers likely from fishing gear and packaging. Areas near aquaculture operations had the highest contamination levels, and the microplastic surfaces showed signs of environmental degradation that could make them more toxic. Mangrove ecosystems act as natural traps for microplastics, concentrating pollution in habitats that are vital for fisheries and coastal protection.
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A comprehensive survey of an isolated mangrove island found microplastics in water, sediment, fallen leaves, and the gastrointestinal tracts of three brachyuran crab species, with fiber morphotypes dominant across all compartments, indicating trophic transfer from leaf litter to crabs. Mangroves serve as microplastic sinks and transfer points in coastal food webs, meaning contamination here propagates to higher trophic levels including species consumed by humans.
Characterisation of microplastics in an isolated mangrove island using multiple ecosystem components including brachyuran crabs
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Researchers conducted a holistic survey of microplastics across multiple ecosystem components of an isolated mangrove island on the southwest coast of India -- including water, sediment, leaves, stilt roots, fallen leaves, and three brachyuran crab species -- finding MPs in water at 5.42 particles/L, sediment at 400 particles/kg, and in crab gastrointestinal tracts, with fibers dominating all components.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.