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Feeding behaviour and food selection in the horseshoe crab, Tachypleus gigas (Müller)

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Abstract

The Indian horseshoe crab, Tachypleus gigas (Müller), is a benthic feeder which subsists mainly on molluscs, decayed organic matter and polychaetes, in order of prevalence. A strong and positive preference was recorded for molluscs over other food organisms. The intensity of feeding was maximum during the north-east monsoon (November to January) in females and during the intermonsoon season (February to May) in males. It was minimum during the south-west monsoon (June to September).

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Chatterji, A., Mishra, J.K. & Parulekar, A.H. Feeding behaviour and food selection in the horseshoe crab, Tachypleus gigas (Müller). Hydrobiologia 246, 41–48 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00005621

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00005621

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