Feeding behaviour and food selection in the horseshoe crab, Tachypleus gigas (Muller)

Abstract

The Indian horseshoe crab, Tachypleus gigas, is a benthic feeder which subsists mainly on molluscs, decayed organic matter and polychaetes, in order of prevalence. A strong and positive preference was recorded for molluscs over other food organisms. The intensity of feeding was maximum during the north-east monsoon (November to January) in females and during the intermonsoon season (February to May) in males. It was minimum during the south-west monsoon (June to September)