On burrow morphology of the ghost crab¸ Ocypode ceratophthalmus (Decapoda;Brachyura: Ocypodidae) from sandy shore of Gujarat, India

Burrow morphology of brachyuran crab Ocypode ceratophthalmus was studied at two different sites located on the Saurashtra coast of Gujarat state, India. Diluted resin was poured in the burrows for burrow cast. Crab, if emerged out from the burrow, was caught and carapace width and sex were recorded. The complete burrow casts were analyzed for various morphological characters and shapes. The depth wise variation in sediment temperature of the burrow was measured at the depth interval of 5 cm. A total of 55 intact burrow casts were obtained and 8 different types of burrow shapes were recorded. The crab carapace width showed significant correlation with burrow opening diameter, burrow volume and burrow total length. The juveniles were observed utilizing shallow burrow with small opening diameter located near water line while adults were observed utilizing deep burrows with large diameter located on the upper part of sandy shore. Specific pattern was observed in the burrow temperature in which the burrow temperature dropped significantly at the greatest depth which provides suitable environment to the crab to survive in the harsh environmental conditions.