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Influence of Tidal Cycles on Embryonic Rotation, Hatching and Emergence of Mangrove Horseshoe Crab, Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda

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Abstract

Horseshoe crabs are iconic and ecologically significant macroinvertebrates in coastal environments. The processes and mechanisms of larval hatching in Asian horseshoe crabs that occurs beneath the sand are largely unknown. The spawning and developmental ecology of Tachypleus tridentatus and T. gigas are assumed to be similar to their Atlantic counterpart Limulus polyphemus. However, Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda has been cited as an exception owing to their frequent sightings in muddy mangrove areas even during low tides. To reveal the larval hatching mechanisms, in this study, we examined varying hatching responses of C. rotundicauda embryos within the sediment to the environmental conditions under continuous tidal cycles. During the eight-week experiment, the count of hatched larvae ranged 4%–30% per week, while the cumulative emergence rate from the sediment was 0–47%. Embryos were observed to have the highest active rotation activity in the first two weeks after incubation. The inundation of tidal water significantly enhanced the occurrence of hatching, in which hydration, osmotic shock and possibly agitation had triggered or facilitated the eclosion. The larvae were found to remain in the sediment for approximately 2–6 weeks before emergence. In general, C. rotundicauda was found to share a similar hatching mechanism with L. polyphemus. Our findings provide insight into the developmental ecology of Asian horseshoe crabs exposed to varying tidal conditions, and are helpful to the management and protection of their spawning habitats.

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Acknowledgements

This study was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 32060129), Guangxi BaGui Youth Scholars Programme, and Guangxi Recruitment Program of 100 Global Experts. The assistance from Dr. Justin Bopp of Michigan State University, U.S. for proof reading this article is highly appreciated.

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  1. The two authors contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Guangxi Key Laboratory of Beibu Gulf Marine Biodiversity Conservation, College of Marine Sciences, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou, 535011, China

    Yang Kuang, Kian Ann Tan, Yijian Fu, Xin Yang, Peng Xu, Wenquan Zhen, Xueping Wang, Xing Huang, Junhua Zhu & Kit Yue Kwan

  2. College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China

    Kian Ann Tan

  3. Guangxi Beibu Gulf Marine Research Center, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning, 530007, China

    Chun-Chieh Wang

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  1. Yang Kuang
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Correspondence to Kit Yue Kwan.

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Kuang, Y., Tan, K.A., Fu, Y. et al. Influence of Tidal Cycles on Embryonic Rotation, Hatching and Emergence of Mangrove Horseshoe Crab, Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda. J. Ocean Univ. China 21, 557–563 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11802-022-5178-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11802-022-5178-9

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