In the present study, we investigated the nutritional composition of wild-caught Scylla olivacea from the Ganjam Coast, Odisha. Two sampling sites were selected: Sonepur (Bahuda Estuary) and Rambha (Chilika). Considering the high economic value of S. olivacea, the protein, carbohydrate, lipid, and moisture contents were analysed and compared between the two sites. The protein content in the muscle tissues of both male and female crabs was higher at Sonepur (51 ± 20.2) compared to Rambha (37 ± 5.8). Carbohydrate content was also relatively higher at Sonepur (11 ± 3.5) than at Rambha (9 ± 4.4), particularly in the crab gut tissue. Similarly, lipid content in the gut tissue of both male and female crabs was higher at Sonepur (0.9 ± 0.06) than at Rambha (0.42 ± 0.02). The moisture content in gut tissue was recorded as 6.26 ± 7.15 at Sonepur and 5.53 ± 1.97 at Rambha. We found differences in nutrient content in the crab population from the two study sites. As spatial variation in nutritional composition depends on food availability, envi-ronmental factors (temperature, salinity, oxygen), genetics and physical conditions (anthropogenic activity which causes pollution). Therefore, the observed differences may be attributed to variations in local food sources and anthropogenic influences. However, further detailed investigations are required to validate and strengthen these findings.

Scylla olivacea, Nutritional Composition, Ganjam Coast, Spatial Variation