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Burrows of Ocypode quadrata (Fabricius) as related to slopes of substrate surfaces

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 May 2016

Glen A. Duncan
Glen A. Duncan*
Affiliation:
School of Journalism, University of Georgia, Athens 30602
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Abstract

Diameter, dip and orientation of burrows of the ghost crab Ocypode quadrata (Fabricius) were measured in back-beach areas: dune faces, dune crests, swales, blowouts and washover fans. Slope direction of the substrate at each burrow site was also measured. Results support three conclusions. First, burrow diameter increases landward. Second, burrow dip is related more to topography than to distance from shoreline; burrows dip more steeply in flatter areas (swales, blowouts, washovers). Third, a causal relationship exists between burrow orientation (as measured by the direction in which apertures point) and substrate slope; contrary to previous conclusions, burrow orientation is unrelated to shoreline direction. Burrow apertures simply point in the same direction as substrate slopes. In fact, on landward faces of dunes, burrow apertures point away from shoreline.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Paleontology , Volume 60 , Issue 2 , March 1986 , pp. 384 - 389
Copyright
Copyright © The Paleontological Society 

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