Abundance and population structure of the blue crab Callinectes sapidus (Decapoda, Portunidae) in Thermaikos Gulf (Methoni Bay), northern Aegean Sea

Abstract The blue crab Callinectes sapidus is an alien decapod established in the Mediterranean Sea. Since 2007, increased abundance has been reported from the northern Aegean Sea sustaining local scale fishery. The present work aims to assess the abundance and population structure of C. sapidus in Thermaikos Gulf using fyke nets. Population abundance, estimated as CPUE, exhibited strong temporal variability with decreased values in the cold season; this pattern was correlated with seawater temperature. Females exhibited also spatial differences with increased abundance close to the Aliakmon estuary. In total, 543 individuals were measured for carapace width. Males prevailed in the population; however, mean size was similar between sexes. Larger individuals were caught from deeper waters and the estuarine areas, whereas mean size decreased temporally. The fyke nets used proved to be size-selective, thus preventing fisheries mortality for juveniles. However, recurrent monitoring is necessary for a sustainable management of blue crab fisheries in the gulf.

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Trophic ecology of the Atlantic blue crab Callinectes sapidus as an invasive non-native species in the Aegean Sea

Biological Invasions ◽

10.1007/s10530-021-02506-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Herdem Aslan ◽

Michael J. Polito

Keyword(s):

Blue Crab ◽

Native Species ◽

Trophic Ecology ◽

Callinectes Sapidus ◽

Aegean Sea

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Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus) Population Structure in Southern New England Tidal Rivers: Patterns of Shallow-Water, Unvegetated Habitat Use and Quality

Estuaries and Coasts ◽

10.1007/s12237-020-00867-1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

David L. Taylor ◽

Molly M. Fehon

Keyword(s):

Population Structure ◽

Habitat Use ◽

New England ◽

Shallow Water ◽

Blue Crab ◽

Callinectes Sapidus ◽

Southern New England ◽

Tidal Rivers

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Growth of blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, in the Yumurtalik Cove, Turkey: a molt process approach

Open Life Sciences ◽

10.2478/s11535-013-0170-9 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 49-57 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Canan Bilen ◽

Irem Yesilyurt

Keyword(s):

Blue Crab ◽

Process Model ◽

Callinectes Sapidus ◽

Eastern Mediterranean ◽

Carapace Width ◽

Degree Days ◽

Western Atlantic ◽

North Eastern ◽

The Mean ◽

Discontinuous Growth

AbstractThe blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) is native to the western Atlantic, but is an invasive species in the Mediterranean. This study examined the dynamics of growth in an invasive population of blue crab in the Yumurtalık Cove, Turkey (North Eastern Mediterranean). Growth was quantified using a discontinuous growth model, a molt process model. Crab growth histories were observed for individual crabs held in field enclosures in summer 2010 and 2011. Carapace widths ranged from 14.13 to 80.07 mm. A mean growth per molt of 120.6% increase in carapace width was observed. Chronological inter-molt periods ranging between 3 days and 67 days were observed. The average IMP was 16 days in Yumurtalık Cove. The mean physiological IMP was 270±163 degree-days, ranging from 72–781 degree-days.

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Reproductive biology of the mediterranean green crab Carcinus aestuarii Nardo, 1847 (Crustacea, Brachyura, Portunidae) in Homa Lagoon, Aegean Sea, Turkey

Oceanological and Hydrobiological Studies ◽

10.2478/s13545-012-0041-z ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 41 (4) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Murat Özbek ◽

Cengiz Koçak ◽

Deniz Acarlı

Keyword(s):

Eastern Mediterranean ◽

Carapace Width ◽

Aegean Sea ◽

Green Crab ◽

Shallow Waters ◽

Regression Analyses ◽

Izmir Bay ◽

Wet Weight ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Fyke Nets

AbstractThe Mediterranean green crab Carcinus aestuarii Nardo, 1847 (Crustacea, Brachyura, Portunidae) is a common inhabitant of the shallow waters of Homa Lagoon in Izmir Bay, Turkey, in the eastern Mediterranean. Monthly samples were collected in Homa Lagoon from June 2006 to May 2007 using trammel nets, fyke nets, beach seines and fence traps. In total, 608 males and 559 females of C. aestuarii were collected. The highest sex ratio (81–86% females) was recorded between October and December, and in August (58% females). Ovigerous females were obtained only from November to February with the highest ratio of ovigerous females (55%) observed in January 2007. The maturation curve presenting the carapace width showed that 50% of female crabs with the carapace width of 26.84 ±1.58 mm (r= 0.72) were physiologically mature. Regression analyses indicated that the number of eggs was positively correlated with carapace width and wet weight (P < 0.05, in both cases).

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Temperature-dependent growth of the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus): a molt process approach

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences ◽

10.1139/f06-011 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 63 (6) ◽

pp. 1298-1308 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

Bryce J Brylawski ◽

Thomas J Miller

Keyword(s):

Blue Crab ◽

Process Model ◽

Callinectes Sapidus ◽

Carapace Width ◽

Growth Parameter ◽

Predictive Ability ◽

Parameter Estimates ◽

Intermolt Period ◽

Molting Process ◽

Dependent Growth

Crustaceans display discrete and biphasic growth as a result of the molting process, so the traditionally used von Bertalanffy growth model does not capture well the phenomena associated with molting-based growth. A molt-process model can predict crustacean growth, including the temperature dependence of intermolt period that can produce the extended overwintering phenomena during which growth ceases. This study parameterized a molt-process model for the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus; Portunidae). Crab growth histories were observed for individual crabs held in field enclosures and temperature-controlled, recirculating tanks. A growth-based temperature of torpor (Tmin) of 10.8 °C was determined. A mean growth per molt of 119.5% increase in carapace width was observed. The average intermolt period observed was 536 ± 231 degree-days. The predictive ability of these growth parameter estimates was evaluated against growth observed in the field based on data on interannual changes in size frequencies of crabs from a winter dredge survey. The evaluated model was used to explore recruitment timing in warm (1996) and cold (1998) years. A 10% shift in the timing of juvenile crabs becoming available for legal exploitation was predicted from the simulations.

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Population Structure of the Blue Crab Callinectes sapidus in the Maryland Coastal Bays

Journal of Shellfish Research ◽

10.2983/035.039.0316 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 39 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Kristen A. Lycett ◽

Jeffrey D. Shields ◽

J. Sook Chung ◽

Joseph S. Pitula

Keyword(s):

Population Structure ◽

Blue Crab ◽

Callinectes Sapidus ◽

Coastal Bays ◽

Maryland Coastal Bays

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Assessing the potential for stock enhancement in the case of the Chesapeake Bay blue crab (Callinectes sapidus)

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences ◽

10.1139/f04-150 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 62 (1) ◽

pp. 109-122 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Jana LD Davis ◽

Alicia C Young-Williams ◽

Anson H Hines ◽

Yonathan Zohar

Keyword(s):

Chesapeake Bay ◽

Blue Crab ◽

Large Scale ◽

Size Range ◽

Callinectes Sapidus ◽

Carapace Width ◽

Stock Enhancement ◽

Traditional Management ◽

The Past ◽

Management Techniques

In certain cases of severely depleted fishery stocks, combining stock enhancement with traditional management techniques may be a useful way of returning stocks to an exploitable size. The Chesapeake Bay stock of blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) has declined over the past decade and appears to be recruitment-limited, making it an appropriate candidate for enhancement efforts. This study serves as a first step in determining whether large-scale enhancement of blue crab stocks is feasible. Four hatchery-raised cohorts of 4000 10 000 (25 000 in total) juvenile (630 mm carapace width, 5870 days old) crabs were released in upper Chesapeake Bay coves. Sixty days after release, these crabs constituted 22%79% of all crabs in the hatchery-crab size range (corresponding to an enhancement level of 28%366%). Crabs released earlier in the summer reached maturity at the age of 6 months, younger than their wild counterparts. Estimated survivorship to maturity was 16%20% for early-released crabs and 515% for late-released crabs. Late-released crabs, like wild crabs, had to overwinter before becoming mature. Our study suggests ways to improve success of hatchery-raised individuals that can be broadly applied across taxa. The results also contribute specifically to determining whether large-scale stock enhancement is possible in the case of the Chesapeake Bay blue crab.

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