Population Dynamics of the Fiddler Crab Tubuca rhizophorae (Tweedie, 1950) in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam

• Published in: Ecology and evolution Vol. 15; no. 7; pp. e71830 - n/a
• Main Authors: Tran, Anh Ngoc, Vo, Lam Thi Thao, Dinh, Quang Minh, Phan, Gieo Hoang, Huynh, Nhien Thi My, Le, Bang Thi Nhu, Nguyen, Ton Huu Duc
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.07.2025; John Wiley and Sons Inc; Wiley
• Subjects: Age; Biodiversity; Crustaceans; Ecosystems; Engineers; Exploitation; fiddler crab; Fisheries; Forests; growth; Growth models; Habitats; Longevity; Mekong Delta; Mortality; Nature Notes; Population characteristics; Population dynamics; Population studies; Salinity; Sediments; Sustainability management; Tubuca rhizophorae; Vietnam; Mekong River Delta; mortality; growth; Tubuca rhizophorae; fiddler crab; Mekong Delta
• ISSN: 2045-7758; 2045-7758
• DOI: 10.1002/ece3.71830

ABSTRACT This study investigates the population characteristics of the fiddler crab, Tubuca rhizophorae, at two sites in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Monthly samples were collected from March 2024 to February 2025 in Dong Hai, Bac Lieu and Dam Doi, Ca Mau. Population parameters, including asymptotic carapace width (CW∞ = 23.18 mm), growth rate (K = 0.68/year), longevity (approximately 4.41 years), total mortality (3.22/year), natural mortality (1.55/year), fishing mortality (1.69/year), exploitation rate (0.52/year), and carapace width at first capture (CWc = 13.60 mm), were estimated. The results indicate that the T. rhizophorae population exhibits rapid growth, relatively short longevity, and is subject to significant fishing pressure; the exploitation rate was determined to be 0.52/year, which exceeds the E50 value (0.401). The study also reveals two major annual recruitment peaks occurring at the beginning and end of the year. These findings provide critical baseline data for developing sustainable management strategies for this fiddler crab species, which are crucial for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem health in the Mekong Delta. This study uses monthly field surveys and length‐frequency analysis to examine the population dynamics of the fiddler crab Tubuca rhizophorae in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Key parameters, including growth rate, mortality, and exploitation rate, were estimated, revealing that the species experiences rapid growth but is subject to significant fishing pressure, with exploitation rates exceeding sustainable thresholds. These findings provide essential data for conservation efforts and sustainable management strategies for T. rhizophorae in coastal ecosystems.