Stable Isotopic Assessment of Site Loyalty and Relationships between Size and Trophic Position of the Atlantic Horseshoe Crab, Limulus polyphemus, within Cape Cod Estuaries

Connell et al uses field measurements and stable isotope analysis to determine whether the trophic position and site loyalty described by Carmichael et al in Pleasant Bay were also found in two additional Cape estuaries, Stage Harbor and Barbstable Harbor, and to determine how the trophic position o...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inThe Biological bulletin (Lancaster) Vol. 205; no. 2; pp. 254 - 255
Main Authors O'Connell, C. W., Grady, S. P., Leschen, A. S., Carmichael, R. H., Valiela, I.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States Marine Biological Laboratory 01.10.2003
University of Chicago Press
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Summary:Connell et al uses field measurements and stable isotope analysis to determine whether the trophic position and site loyalty described by Carmichael et al in Pleasant Bay were also found in two additional Cape estuaries, Stage Harbor and Barbstable Harbor, and to determine how the trophic position of horseshoe crabs might change as adult crabs grow. The results of the work lend support to earlier findings about the position of horseshoe crabs as generalist predators in the estuarine food webs of Cape Cod; demonstrate that horseshoe crabs are clearly linked to land-derived nitrogen source; suggest a possible diet shift from Spartina-based food sources to more phytoplankton-based sources as adult crabs grow; and show that the crabs exhibit considerable within- estuary loyalty in their foraging habits.
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ISSN:0006-3185
1939-8697
DOI:10.2307/1543281