Feces and molting as microplastic sinks in a mangrove crab

We exposed adult individuals of the sentinel mangrove crab Minuca rapax to waterborne microplastics (MP; 53–63 μm polyethylene spheres) in a long-term experiment (56 days). Weassessed 1) MP effects on growth, survival, and food intake. and 2) the MP tissue acumulation and its reduction of body burden through feces and molting. MP exposure did not affect growth and survival. The hepatopancreas accumulated more MP than the gills and muscle. Most of the ingested MP particles were released in the feces and molts, indicating a rapid passage through the digestive tract. MP impaired food intake of M. rapax, with unknown consequences to the local populations. These results provide insights on MP translocation mechanisms, its elimination and toxicity associated with MP. [Display omitted] •Long-term MP exposure did not affect growth and survival of M. rapax.•High rates of MP were released by the feces and molts.•MP accumulation was higher in the hepatopancreas than in the gills or muscles.•Food intake was lower in individuals exposed to MP than the control treatment.