Abstract: Chiromantes dehaani is one of the dominant species in the salt marsh of the Yangtze estuary. Its feeding habit and behavior characteristics play an important role in the maintaining of ecosystem structure and function. In this study, we analyzed the feeding habit of C. dehaani and influencing factors through field sampling in different habitats in the north tidal flat of Chongming Island and laboratory experiment. Results showed that plant leaves were the main food source of the crab, and the sediment took the second place. Tender leaves of common reeds were the most preferred food, accounting for 35.7% of all food consumed, while senesced leaves of the common reeds were the least preferred food, accounting for 6.8%. The food compositions of the crab were different among habitats and genders. In the field condition, the intake of plant leaves by the crab was influenced by its weight, carapace width, and chela height. The results of indoor feeding experiment showed that the crab had significant feeding preference to tender leaves of the common reeds (p<0.05), which was mainly influenced by its gender. Its feeding preference on senesced reed leaves was influenced mostly by its weight, carapace width, and chela height. We concluded that the feeding habit of C. dehaani bared a certain preference, which was affected by multiple factors including the characteristics of the food and its growth.

Key words: stability of carbon pool, sand-fixing forest, desertification reversal, soil organic carbon, Mu Us sandy land