Mottled Shore Crab checks cyanobacteria growth in the Seagrass Meadow

The Mottled Shore Crab (Pachygrapsus transversus) was documented grazing through the macroalgae and cyanobacteria clump in the Seagrass Meadow before sea urchins were added. By the end of March, the cyanobacteria had shrunk significantly and its growth looked checked. The observation marks an important self-correction beat in the meadow: the crab appears to help control one part of the algae pressure, while Graceful redweed remains the light-layer problem over the shoalgrass.