Species Diversity of Decapod Crustaceans in Marine Habitats

Abstract

For 10 marine habitats the numbers of species of decapod crustacean faunas are as follows: temperate sandy beach (8), tropical sandy beach (7) tropical sand—mud beach (16), temperate Spartina marsh (14), tropical Rhizophora mangroves (17,20), temperate man—made jetties (34), tropical Pocillopora coral (55), and tropical rocky intertidal zones (67,78). Numbers of species were found to be little affected by temperature range, salinity range, or tidal exposure. Number of substrates is the most important factor in determining the number of species present, probably because each species can make differential use of each substrate. Latitude and longitude did not influence numbers of decapod species within habitats.