<p><i>Tachypleus gigas</i> (Müller), a marine chelicerate of ecological importance, is increasingly threatened by habitat degradation, and fishing activities along the Odisha coast. Listed as ‘Data Deficient’ by the IUCN, this species faces severe risks, highlighting the need for targeted conservation. This study aimed to (1) assess environmental factors influencing <i>T. gigas</i> distribution and survival, (2) evaluate the effectiveness of rescue and relocation efforts. From July 2023 to March 2024, 483 individuals were rescued from fishing zones and relocated to protected areas. Surveys across ten stations (five rescue and five relocation) revealed that seasonal salinity variations, driven by monsoon influx and pre-monsoon evaporation, significantly influenced habitat suitability and reproductive success. Morphometric analyses indicated positive allometric growth in carapace length (<i>R</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.79), width (<i>R</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.79), and telson length (<i>R</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.59), supporting locomotion, defense, and reproduction. Rescues varied seasonally and spatially, with lunar phases influencing distribution. principal component analysis highlighted salinity, temperature, and sediment composition as key drivers of <i>T. gigas</i> distribution, with organic carbon levels correlating positively with <i>T. gigas</i> counts during the monsoon. Monsoonal shifts in sediment composition and water quality altered benthic ecosystems, impacting long-term viability. Ghost net entanglement remained a critical threat, with 40.7% of fishermen discarding trapped crabs. Community engagement, including educational outreach to 235 fisherfolk, supported the establishment of protected no-fishing stations. Post-relocation monitoring indicated a 72.5% survival rate over 6 months. This study highlights the effectiveness of integrated conservation strategies involving habitat restoration, regulations, and community participation to ensure <i>T. gigas</i> resilience.</p>

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Ecological insights and conservation strategies for the data-deficient Indian horseshoe crab Tachypleus gigas (Müller, 1785) along the Odisha coast, India

  • Biswajeet Panda,
  • Arabinda Singha,
  • Purushothaman Atchuthan,
  • S. Kumaralingam

摘要

Tachypleus gigas (Müller), a marine chelicerate of ecological importance, is increasingly threatened by habitat degradation, and fishing activities along the Odisha coast. Listed as ‘Data Deficient’ by the IUCN, this species faces severe risks, highlighting the need for targeted conservation. This study aimed to (1) assess environmental factors influencing T. gigas distribution and survival, (2) evaluate the effectiveness of rescue and relocation efforts. From July 2023 to March 2024, 483 individuals were rescued from fishing zones and relocated to protected areas. Surveys across ten stations (five rescue and five relocation) revealed that seasonal salinity variations, driven by monsoon influx and pre-monsoon evaporation, significantly influenced habitat suitability and reproductive success. Morphometric analyses indicated positive allometric growth in carapace length (R2 = 0.79), width (R2 = 0.79), and telson length (R2 = 0.59), supporting locomotion, defense, and reproduction. Rescues varied seasonally and spatially, with lunar phases influencing distribution. principal component analysis highlighted salinity, temperature, and sediment composition as key drivers of T. gigas distribution, with organic carbon levels correlating positively with T. gigas counts during the monsoon. Monsoonal shifts in sediment composition and water quality altered benthic ecosystems, impacting long-term viability. Ghost net entanglement remained a critical threat, with 40.7% of fishermen discarding trapped crabs. Community engagement, including educational outreach to 235 fisherfolk, supported the establishment of protected no-fishing stations. Post-relocation monitoring indicated a 72.5% survival rate over 6 months. This study highlights the effectiveness of integrated conservation strategies involving habitat restoration, regulations, and community participation to ensure T. gigas resilience.