FEEDING HABIT OF XANTHID CRAB, ERIPHIA SMITHII MCLEAY ON A ROCKY SHORE

Abstract

Observation upon the feeding habit of Eriphia smithii were made from May to September in 1988 at rocky shore near Banda Marine Station of Tokyo University of Fisheries in Chiba Prefecture. Observations were recorded, forty eight in total. Most foraged organisms for food were Polyplacophora and Patellacea (52.1%). Predation on Brachyura and Pelecypoda were observed seven (16.7%) and six (12.5%) times respectively. The other animal groups as food were observed less than four times.