What specific invertebrate found in the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge is crucial for the survival of the Texas wintering Whooping Crane flock?
Answer
Blue crabs
The Whooping Crane exhibits dietary flexibility, shifting its consumption based on seasonal availability, but the wintering grounds require a reliable, high-energy food source. For the critical migratory flock that winters along the Texas coast, the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge provides essential sustenance. These cranes rely heavily on consuming the local blue crabs found in the specific wetland conditions of that refuge. Any negative alteration to the Gulf Coast ecosystem, particularly changes in salinity caused by climate shifts or water diversion projects, directly threatens the availability of these blue crabs, thereby jeopardizing the survival of this segment of the population.
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