The Growth of the Pacific Edible Crab, Cancer magister Dana

Abstract

Approximately 20,000 measurements were made of crabs and cast exoskeletons, chiefly from Boundary bay, southern British Columbia. From size frequencies of crabs under 3 cm. seven modes have been identified as representing the early post-larval instars. Increase in size of animals in the laboratory or in live wells is significantly less than in nature, and leads to erroneous results when applied to growth. The increase per moult decreases from about 40 per cent in the early post-larval stages to about 15 per cent in males of 13.5 cm. and 10 per cent in females of 13.0 cm. Above 10 cm. the males increase more per moult. The intervals between moults become progressively longer with increasing size, and tagging experiments indicate that large crabs moult yearly. Probably to reach the maximum size, seventeen and sixteen post-larval instars are required for males and females respectively. Sexual maturity in female crabs is probably attained during the fourth or fifth year but may occur in the third or the sixth year. The legal size in British Columbia (6½ inches, or 16.5 cm.) is probably attained during the seventh or eighth year. The average duration of life is probably about eight years and the maximum age not more than ten years.