Burrow Morphology of Brachyuran Crab Dotilla blanfordi Alcock, 1900 from Gulf of Khambhat, Gujarat, India

The present study was conducted to understand the burrow morphology of brachyuran crab Dotilla blanfordi Alcock, 1900 at Dandi beach located in Gulf of Khambhat of Gujarat state, India. Burrows were selected randomly and their opening diameter was recorded. Diluted resin was poured in the burrows to generate burrow cast. If the occupant crab emerges out of the burrow, it was captured and carapace width and gender was recorded. The shapes of complete burrow casts were identified and measurements of various morphological characters of burrow cast were recorded. Total 7 different burrow shapes were identified, out of which single tube burrow was the most common as compared to other burrow shapes. The crab carapace width showed significant relationship with burrow opening diameter, burrow depth, burrow length and burrow volume. Juveniles (3.45 mm CW) were making burrow of all the seven shapes. Burrow depth, length and volume were significantly higher in adult crabs as compared to juveniles. No significant variation was observed between burrows of male and female individuals. The present study showed that burrow morphology is highly affected by the crab body size and also varies significantly with different life stages of the crab. Juveniles make shallow and simple burrows as their smaller gill areas stores lesser amount of respiratory water which needs to be changed frequently. However, adults make complex burrows to perform various tasks including copulation and reproduction.