Global future distributions of mangrove crabs in response to climate change
In: Wetlands. Official Scholarly Journal of the Society of Wetland Scientists. Society of Wetland Scientists (SWS)/Springer: Wilmington. ISSN 0277-5212; e-ISSN 1943-6246, more
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| Author keywords |
climate change; distribution range shift; global distribution; mangrove crabs; species distribution modelling; MaxEnt |
| Authors | | Top |
- Sharifian, S.
- Kamrani, E.
- Saeedi, H.
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| Abstract |
Mangroves are an ideal habitat for a variety of marine species, especially brachyuran crabs. Using MaxEnt modelling technique, we projected the potential global distributions of six families of mangrove crabs including Camptandriidae, Dotillidae, Macrophthalmidae, Ocypodidae, Sesarmidae, and Oziidae; as well as 23 representative species of those families. Our results showed that depth and sea surface temperature (SST) are the most important drivers of distribution of mangrove crabs. The most potential suitable environments for all 23 species were located along the coastal areas with depths of less than 17 m, mean SST 14–30 °C, salinity 10–44 PSS (Pactical Salinity Scale), current velocity of 0.001–1.38 m−1 in present models. In projected models, depth less 29 m, SST between 15 and 31 °C, salinity between 19 and 41 PSS, and current velocity between 0.02–1.33 m−1 were the most potential suitable habitat conditions for the mangrove crabs. Future models showed that distribution of most species will be shifted towards higher latitudes. The contraction of latitudinal distribution ranges in 52% of mangrove crabs of six families were observed following future environmental changes. However, a number of species (48%) showed range expansions as a response to global warming. The results showed that in general, the high suitable environments would shrink until 2100 for mangrove crabs in response to global warming. The outputs of MaxEnt model presented the vulnerability of mangrove crabs to future climatic condition changes. As a result, our finding implies a need to understand the consequences of climate change on distribution and diversity of mangrove crabs to adopt ecological function and to impelement accurate mangrove conservation programs. |
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