| Trap, beam trawl and fishing surveys revealed 58 different species, 18 of which were crustaceans. Hemigrapsus sanguineus, the invasive Asian shore crab, was present in the trap and beam trawl surveys. During the trap survey H. sanguineus accounted for 20.8% of all crabs caught. Results show that the species is utilizing or at least traveling through, the marina's subtidal depths. Diet analysis of finfish demonstrates that H. sanguineus is a prey item. The frequency of H. sanguineus in the gut contents of these finfish was C. striata (17%), T. onitis (13.9%), T. adspersus (5.1%), O. tau (25%) and M. saxatilis (0%). Most stomach contents came from > 1-year old fish with two, 5-6 year old blackfish being the oldest specimens sampled. Results demonstrate that H. sanguineus has become a resident of this Long Island Sound subtidal community but that specific fish species have begun to prey upon it. |
