SeaLifeBase
Ecology of Palinurus elephas
 
Main Ref. Goñi, R. and D. Latrouite, 2005
Remarks Occurs at depths between shore to 200 m, on rocky bottoms and coralligenous substrates where there are lots of protective holes and micro-caves. Adults may be solitary, in pairs or in small groups. Highly omnivorous and preys on hard-shelled bottom dwelling organisms, i.e., mollusks, echinoderms and crustaceans. They are generalists and opportunistic feeders depending on the abundance of benthic organisms (Ref. 85369). Ovigerous females are observed from September to October and February to March (Ref. 4).

Aquatic zones / Water bodies

Marine - Neritic Marine - Oceanic Brackishwater Freshwater
Marine zones / Brackish and freshwater bodies
  • supra-littoral zone
  • littoral zone
  • sublittoral zone
  • epipelagic
  • mesopelagic
  • epipelagic
  • abyssopelagic
  • hadopelagic
  • estuaries/lagoons/brackish seas
  • mangroves
  • marshes/swamps
  • rivers/streams
  • lakes/ponds
  • caves
  • exclusively in caves
Highighted items on the list are where Palinurus elephas may be found.

Habitat

Substrate Benthic: mobile; demersal; Soft Bottom: sand; Hard Bottom: rocky;
Substrate Ref. Ansell, A.D., 1977
Special habitats Coral Reefs;
Special habitats Ref. Ansell, A.D., 1977

Associations

Ref. Holthuis, L.B., 1991
Associations
Associated with
Association remarks
Parasitism

feeding

Feeding type plants/detritus+animals (troph. 2.2-2.79)
Feeding type Ref.
Feeding habit browsing on substrate
Feeding habit Ref.

Trophic Level(s)

Estimation method original sample unfished population Remark
Troph s.e. Troph s.e.
From diet composition
From individual food items 3.34 0.66 Trophic level estimated from a number of food items using a randomized resampling routine.
Ref.
(e.g. 9948)
(e.g. cnidaria)
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