Geomorphology induces life history changes in invertebrates of sandy beaches: the case of the mole crab Emerita analoga in Chile

The hypothesis that vital functions of one of the most successful macroinvertebrates of sandy beaches of Chile, the mole crab Emerita analoga are negatively affected by the environmental conditions of reflective beaches was tested. Twelve exposed sandy beaches distributed along 200 km of coast of central Chile, and selected to cover a wide morphodynamic spectrum were sampled every two months from April 1997 to November 1998. Significant phenotypic differences among local populations of the sand crab were detected. Important life history traits of the sand crab, linked to growth pattern, reproductive biology and burrowing capacity, were negatively affected by the environmental conditions of reflective beaches. The present results reinforce the view that environmental variations associated with beach morphodynamics, play a critical role in the life history patterns of sandy beach organisms.