The burrow structure of Minuca osa (Brachyura: Ocypodidae) from the eastern Montijo Gulf, Panamanian Pacific

Abstract

Abstract Between November 2022 and March 2023, thirty-seven Minuca osa burrow plaster casts were poured while simultaneously collecting biometric data of the occupants in Ponuga, eastern Montijo Gulf, Panamanian Pacific. Casts revealed a highly variable structure with straight and spiral sections, reaching depths down to 122 cm (mean ± SD = 73.20 ± 28.66 cm). Burrow depth and length did not differ between sexes; however, males exhibited larger burrow diameter (25.9 ± 4.61 mm) compared to females (19.48 ± 1.65 mm; Mann-Whitney, P < 0.001). Male carapace width (23.4 ± 2.15 mm) surpassed that of females (18.42 ± 1.73 mm; Mann‐Whitney, P < 0.001). Female carapace length (r 2 = 0.793) and male chela length (r 2 = 0.769) were correlated to diameter. This study presents the first description of M. osa burrow structure, providing valuable insights into this understudied species.