Functional Morphology of Mouth parts feeding behaviour in the estuarine hermit <i>Crab Clibarnarius longitarsus</i> (De Haan)

Abstract

<i>C. longitarsus</i> is largely an omnivorous detritus feeder. Scavenging and predation seem to be opportunistic. A detailed examination of the morphology of mouth parts reveals that they are similar in construction to other hermit crabs described earlier, but differ in details of setation. The chelipeds which are equal and similar are structurally well adapted for scooping and grasping and are effectively used both in sedimentary and particulate mode of feeding. The antennal flagella are not provided with plumose setae and are not used as filters for sieving suspended materials from the water column as reported already in 2 other hermit crabs.