The ghost crab Ocypode quadrata (Fabricius, 1787) as a potential indicator of anthropic impact along the Rio Grande do Sul coast, Brazil

The aim of this study is to compare the density and vertical distribution of ghost crab Ocypode quadrata burrows at three beaches with different degrees of anthropic impact. in order to achieve this, 121 m(2) quadrants were laid out at random daily on each beach, over a 100 m wide strip stretching from the dunes to the waterline, in order to estimate the density of the burrows. The results showed that the density of O. quadrata burrows was lower at beaches with higher anthropic impact -Tramandai and Harmonia. Jardim do Eden beach, which suffers little impact, had the highest density of burrows. Vertical distribution of the burrows at Tramandai beach was restricted by the presence of a strip which cars drive along. The burrows along this beach tended to be distributed over a strip where there are kiosks which offer protection from the traffic. At Jardim do Eden and Harmonia beaches, vertical distribution of the burrows was affected only by the dynamics of the rise and ebb of the waterline, caused by two storm events. The results showed that the density of ghost crab O. quadrata burrows is a tool of quick and easy use in diagnosing anthropic impact in coastal areas. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.