Behavioural ecology of the mud-burrowing crab Goneplax rhomboides

Diving studies at Fishguard harbour in South Wales (UK) combined with laboratory studies, provided information on the burrowing behaviour of Goneplax rhomboides (L.). Polyester resin casts indicated that burrows had from 1 to 6 openings and tunnels were horizontal at about 10 cm depth, with branches usually at right angles to each other. Burrowing was studied in the laboratory and related to variations in burrow casts taken in the field. Preliminary laboratory experiments suggest that social interactions occur between crabs, but analysis of the spatial distribution of burrows in the field suggested randomness. Burrows in the field showed some similarity of orientation, although the reasons for this were uncertain.