PS 58-225 - Abiotic factors that influence the population abundance of Cardisoma guanhumi

Friday, August 12, 2016
ESA Exhibit Hall, Ft Lauderdale Convention Center
Camila B. Rodriguez, General Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Bayamon Campus, Bayamon, PR, Puerto Rico
Background/Question/Methods

Blue land crab, Cardisoma guahnumi, has a great commercial and economic importance to the coasts of Puerto Rico. In this research I studied whether abiotic factors such as pH, temperature and humidity affect the population abundance of the blue land crab in two ecosystems chosen, the Black Wetland and Cayúr Forest, located in Punta Tuna, Maunabo. The research was conducted by quantifying the amount of burrows found in both habitats and taking measurements of abiotic factors to each cave using a thermometer, a pH meter and a humidity meter. The diameter of each burrow was also measured.

Results/Conclusions

The data obtained to determine if any abiotic factor affecting the population abundance of Cardisoma guanhumi was analyzed. It was found that no abiotic factor affects the population abundance of the blue land crab in these two ecosystems since the same amount of burrows was found in the two ecosystems. It was inferred after analyzing the data, that humidity can affect the diameter of the Cardisoma guanhumi burrow.