Abundance, distribution and ecology of the tufted ghost crab Ocypode cursor (Linnaeus, 1758) (Crustacea: Ocypodidae) from a recently colonized urban sandy beach, and new records from Sicily (central Mediterranean Sea)

The tufted ghost crab, Ocypode cursor, was recorded for the first time on the coast of Sicily mainland in 2009, however no ecological studies were conducted so far. In this study, we provide the first ecological data, based on massive data collection of the ghost crab in Sicily. In particular, we studied the spatio-temporal distribution of the species in the recently colonized urban beach of Avola. Our results showed that this species' activity is mainly affected by temperature (crabs were more active during warmer months), while distance from the shoreline affected size distribution (larger crabs were usually found farther away from the shoreline). Crabs feed on a great variety of food items, and are undergoing northward range expansion.