Changes in the distributions of juvenile horseshoe crabs (Arthropoda: Chelicerata) (2002-2014) related to environmental perturbations at Pak Nai and Ha Pak Nai, Deep Bay, Hong Kong SAR, China.

A survey of juvenile Asian horseshoe crabs in 2002 on the mudflats along Hong Kong's north-western shoreline abutting Deep Bay identified two species, Tachypleus tridentatus and Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda, and assessed their population characteristics. Since the 2002 survey, there have been significant habitat changes to this natal site for the two species. By employing the same, but expanded, sampling protocol, a further survey was, therefore, conducted twelve years later in 2014. A general population decline was recorded for T. tridentatus whereas for C. rotundicauda there was an increase and its distribution had become more widespread. The distribution patterns of the two species were also shown to have changed. The potential factors that might be responsible for recorded changes in the species' population characteristics between 2002 and 2014 are related to anthropogenic perturbations, including environmental habitat alterations notably the building of a bridge linking Hong Kong to Shenzhen in China.