Temporal changes in burrow structure of the thalassinidean ghost shrimps Trypaea australiensis and Biffarius arenosus

Abstract

The thalassinidean ghost shrimps Trypaea australiensis and Biffarius arenosus are dominant burrowing macroinvertebrates of soft‐sediment habitats in Western Port, Victoria, Australia. Burrow structure has been described for both species but little is known about how the burrows change over time. This study used resin casting to investigate temporal variation by making burrow casts each month over a 12‐month period. It was found that the overall burrow morphology of both T. australiensis and B. arenosus was consistent over time, but in the warmer months (summer and spring), both species constructed burrows that were deeper and of greater volume than burrows constructed in winter and autumn. Possible reasons for this variation are discussed.

Keywords:

• ghost shrimp
• soft sediments
• burrow structure
• resin casting
• Thalassinidea

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the many volunteers (particularly C. Butler) who helped to excavate casts in the mudflats of Warneet, Western Port. We would also like to thank M. Clarke, B. Malone, T. New and R. Zann for their valuable help with statistical analysis, fieldwork and clarifying ideas. We are grateful to A. Rowden for invaluable help with editing and statistical analysis.