BIODIVERSITY AND ROLE OF BRACHYURAN CRABS IN LEAF LITTER DECOMPOSITION ON TYPHOON DESTROYED AREAS AT CAN GIO MANGROVE, HCMC

Abstract

Natural enviroment of the destroyed zone in Can Gio mangrove by Durian typhoon had been serious bioturbation. The researches about the environment of this area and role of organisms are very important for the mangrove regeneration. There are 19 species of Brachyuran crabs belonged to 13 genus, 7 families such as Sesarmidae, Ocypodidae, Varunidae, Oziidae, Grapsidae, Leucosiidae and Camptadriidae. Perisesarma eumolpe is the dominated species and effects mangrove leaf litter decomposition in there. They consumed all of 3 Rhizophora apiculata leaf types and the brown leaf is the most consumed by them. The consumed leaf rate is 5.2% - 24.44% / wet weight leaf on 24 hours. Perisesarma eumolpe is the important link of the nutritional chain in this ecosystem. They help to return the nutrition for sediment, reduce the leaf litter mass which is lost by tide.