Energy utilization in the marsh crab, Sesarma reticulatum, and its relation to cyclic patterns

Abstract

A study was undertaken to determine the energy utilized by Sesarma in feeding upon Spartina over lunar-monthly periods. Amounts of Spartina ingested and assimilated, in terms of grams dry weight, were found for three groups of crabs. These studies indicate a possible relationship between the quantity (i.e. grams dry weight) and/or quanity (i.e. associated with maturity) of Spartina available to the crabs and the amounts ingested and assimilated. These data, in addition to data from respiration measurements, were combined with information from the literature to construct energy budgets, in terms of caloric values, for the three groups.