Crustacean burrows in the Seychelles, Indian Ocean

Crustacean burrows are common in Recent sediments associated with fringing reefs around Mahé, Seychelles. Burrow morphology is related to function. Unbranched burrows produced by the crabs Cardisoma, Sesarma, Ocypode spp., Uca and Macropthalma are primarily dwelling, whereas multiramous systems constructed by the shrimps Callianassa spp. serve in addition as a means of sediment exploitation.

The distribution of morphotypes shows only general correspondence to recognised biofacies zones, and well-preserved burrows from Pleistocene limestones on Aldabra demonstrate that, while providing useful corroborative evidence, burrows are of limited value as primary zone indicators.