First Recorded Predation of Lightfoot Crab by Horn-Eyed Ghost Crab on Rushikonda Coast

Rare Predatory Behaviour Observed Among Crabs on Rushikonda Beach

A research team from the GITAM School of Science, Visakhapatnam , has documented the first confirmed case of a horn-eyed ghost crab preying on a mottled lightfoot crab along the Rushikonda shoreline. The unusual interaction, observed during an evening field survey in April, offers fresh insight into intertidal food webs on India’s east coast.

Unusual Predator–Prey Encounter

During low tide, scientists noticed an unexpected disturbance on the sand where a horn-eyed ghost crab was actively feeding on a mottled lightfoot crab. While the latter typically inhabits rocky crevices, the predator is primarily confined to sandy shorelines. The incident likely occurred at a transitional zone where rocky and sandy habitats overlap, enabling this rare behavioural crossover.

Behavioural Shift and Ecological Insight

The observation suggests a possible extension of nocturnal foraging by the horn-eyed ghost crab, a pattern not previously recorded in Indian coastal ecosystems. The event underscores the adaptability of generalist predators capable of altering prey choices based on shifting ecological conditions and prey accessibility.

Importance of Ghost Crabs in Coastal Ecology

Ghost crabs of the genus Ocypode play a crucial ecological role in sandy intertidal habitats. By constructing burrows and regulating invertebrate populations, they influence beach morphology and nutrient cycling. Rushikonda hosts three species— O. brevicornis , O. macrocera and O. cordimanus .

Exam Oriented Facts

• Findings published in the November issue of the Journal of Threatened Taxa

• Ghost crabs can act as apex predators in intertidal food chains

• Six ghost crab species recorded along India’s coast

• Lightfoot crabs primarily inhabit rocky crevices

Environmental Context and Research Prospects

Scientists note that pollution, sediment shifts, warming seas and altered tidal rhythms may be driving species into adjacent microhabitats. Although isolated, this event highlights the need for detailed monitoring of intertidal ecosystems, especially along Visakhapatnam’s mixed sandy–rocky coastline.