Food and feeding habits of Pachygrapsus marmoratus (Grapsidae) crab in the southern Mediterranean Sea (Eastern Libya)

The present study aimed to establish spatiotemporal food and feeding habits of the crab Pachygrapsus marmoratus inhabiting rocky shores southern Mediterranean Sea coast, exemplified by Al-Haniyah, Al-Hamamah, Susah sites in eastern Libya, relate them morphometric traits, abundance organisms habitat. A total 425 crabs collected during 2019 were used study. minimum maxim carapace length (CL), weight (TW) were: 8.5-35.1mm, 0.4-31.0g order, means 26.79mm 12.37g. P. is an omnivore facultative feeder, i.e. feeds on what available its Stomach fullness was established discussed terms season, site, sex growth, availability stomach taxa vary according size, but overall trend cnidaria algae > crustacea mollusca seaweed, season it fall spring winter summer. Cnidaria more abundant stomachs Crustacea crab’s stomachs.