Isotopic Niche and Trophic Position of the Invasive Portunid Portunus segnis Forskal, (1775) in Elounda Bay (Crete Island, Eastern Mediterranean)

There is a growing recognition that an advanced understanding of the trophic characteristics of an invasive consumer can provide important information on its ecological impact. In recent years, the blue swimming crab Portunus segnis, one of the earliest Lessepsian invaders, has considerably expanded its distribution range in the Mediterranean Sea, yet, its trophic habits in invaded areas remain scarcely investigated. In this study, we used carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes analysis (SIA) to determine the trophic position and isotopic niche of the crab compared with other representatives of the flora and fauna occurring in Elounda Bay (Crete). P. segnis showed a trophic position of 3.9, higher than the values determined by SIA or conventional gut content analysis in other areas of the Mediterranean Sea or in the native range. Crab specimens showed a high inter-individual variability in both delta C-13 and delta N-15 values; further analysis indicated negligible differences in the isotopic niche of adult males and females. Conversely, delta N-15 values were significantly related to the size of the specimens, ultimately suggesting an ontogenetic dietary shift. This study represents the first attempt to characterize the trophic habits of the blue swimming crab in the context of an invaded food web and may contribute to the implementation of long-term management strategies of control and mitigation of its ecological impact.

Automated summary

This study investigated the trophic position and isotopic niche of the blue swimming crab using carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes analysis. The results showed that the crab had a higher trophic position in the Mediterranean Sea compared to other areas. There was high inter-individual variability in the isotopic values, and no significant difference in the isotopic niche between male and female specimens was found. Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between specimen size and δ15N values, suggesting an ontogenetic dietary shift.