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Feeding behavior is the main driver for microparticle intake in mangrove crabs
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Scientists investigated microplastic ingestion by crabs in mangrove ecosystems and found that feeding behavior was the primary driver of particle uptake, with deposit-feeding crabs accumulating more microplastics than filter feeders, underscoring the role of behavioral traits in determining microplastic exposure.
Abstract As marine plastic debris is primarily sourced from terrestrial input, coastal environments are particularly affected by deposition. Because of their pneumatophores, mangroves have been recognized for their importance in confining plastic waste. Crabs are a dominant component of the mangrove ecosystem and play a critical role in maintaining healthy and resilient mangrove forests. Therefore, the presence of debris fragmented from waste, in their habitat is a potential threat. However, the potential ingestion of microplastic pieces by mangrove crabs has not yet been investigated. Here, we quantified microparticles found in the cardiac stomachs and gill chambers of four species of crabs. All specimens collected had anthropogenic microparticles present either via their digestive or respiratory systems. We observed significant variability in the abundance and types of anthropogenic microparticles across sites and species. Interspecific differences appear to be explained by their particular feeding habits, with less selective species ingesting more particles.
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Ecological traits influence the bioaccumulation of microplastics in commercially important estuarine crabs from the southeastern Gulf of Mexico
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Researchers found that microplastic accumulation in two commercially important estuarine crab species in the Gulf of Mexico varied significantly based on ecological traits such as feeding behavior and habitat use, with gills and digestive tracts showing higher contamination than muscle tissue.
Feeding type affects microplastic ingestion in a coastal invertebrate community
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Researchers exposed a coastal Baltic Sea invertebrate community — including mussels, crustaceans, and deposit feeders — to microplastic beads at three concentrations and found that feeding mode strongly determined ingestion rates, with filter-feeding bivalves accumulating significantly more particles than deposit feeders or free-swimming crustaceans.
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.
Do different habits affect microplastics contents in organisms? A trait-based analysis on salt marsh species
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Scientists measured microplastic occurrence in six benthic invertebrate species from salt marshes in northern Italy and the Netherlands, finding that species feeding habits, body size, and habitat use were better predictors of microplastic contamination than sampling location alone.
Microplastic Ingestion by a Benthic Amphipod in Different Feeding Modes
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This study found that a small estuarine crustacean ingests microplastic beads differently depending on how it feeds — filter-feeding individuals ingested particles proportional to water concentrations, while deposit-feeders preferentially ingested larger particles that settled on the bottom. The findings suggest feeding behavior significantly influences how much and what size microplastics organisms accumulate.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.