Crab Body Size Research Articles

Population Abundances, Tidal Movement, Burrowing Ability and Oxygen Uptake of Emerita analoga (Stimpson) (Crustacea, Anomura) on a Sandy Beach of South‐Central Chile

Abstract. Field sampling and other experiments were carried out during February 2001 to determine whether different morphodynamic characteristics occurring within an intermediate sandy beach of southern Chile (ca. 39°S) convey differences in population abundance, tidal movement, burrowing ability and oxygen uptake of the anomuran crab Emerita analoga (Stimpson, 1857). Crabs were collected along transects extended between the lowest swash levels and the retention zone above the effluent line of the south and north end of the beach. Burrowing times of nearly 70 crabs collected at each study site were measured in saturated sands collected from the lowest swash level of each site. Oxygen uptake of crabs was measured in incubation glass bottles. The intertidal zone of the north end of the beach was wider (56 m) and flatter (1/14) than that of the south end (45 m and 1/9, respectively). In general, the swash zone of the north end was significantly wider than the south end throughout the sampling period. The frequency of swashes and number of swash crossings above the effluent line, plus up‐wash speed, were usually higher at the steeper south end of the beach. The mean population abundance of E. analoga per linear metre of beach was significantly higher at the north end, whereas density per square metre was significantly higher at the south end. No differences were found in biomass figures. Although the highest abundance of crabs at the north end was usually observed at the lowest swash levels, similar population abundances occurred along all the tidal levels sampled at the south end. Burrowing times of crabs collected from both ends of the beach increased significantly with increasing carapace length and body mass. The mean burrowing time of crabs collected at the south end of the beach was shorter than that of those collected at the north end. Oxygen uptake of E. analoga was positively and exponentially correlated with the size of individuals collected from both ends of the beach. Results of ANCOVA showed no significant difference between the regression lines obtained for the oxygen uptake of crabs collected at both ends of the beach. It is concluded that physical features of each end of the beach seem not to differ enough to produce differences in oxygen uptake of E. analoga, or in the biomass, population structure and body size of crabs, within a single beach of south‐central Chile.

Effects of the Stocking Density and Body Size of the Mitten Crab (Eriocheir sinensis) on Aquatic Plant Biomass

ABSTRACT Experiments in tanks and cages were conducted to examine the effects of stocking density and body size of the mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) on transplanted submersed macrophyte biomass. The early juvenile crab with 7.0±0.6 mm carapace width (CW) had little effect on plant biomass, regardless of the stocking densities. However, larger crabs (CW: 18.0±2.2, 35.0±3.6, and 60.0±5.7 mm) significantly influenced plant biomass, especially at large stocking densities. Predictive models, using crab body size and stocking density, were generated to demonstrate effect of the mitten crab on the changes of plant biomass. The results indicate that dense mitten crab populations may adversely affect aquatic plant communities, particularly when its animal food resources are scarce.

Release from Parasites as Natural Enemies: Increased Performance of a Globally Introduced Marine Crab

Introduced species often seem to perform better than conspecifics in their native range. This is apparent in the high densities they may achieve or the larger individual sizes they attain. A prominent hypothesis explaining the success of introduced terrestrial species is that they are typically free of or are less affected by the natural enemies (competitors, predators, and parasites) they encounter in their introduced range compared to their native range. To test this hypothesis in a marine system, we conducted a global assessment of the effect of parasitism and predation on the ecological performance of European green crab populations. In Europe, where the green crab is native, crab body size and biomass were negatively associated with the prevalence of parasitic castrators. When we compared native crab populations with those from introduced regions, limb loss (an estimator of predation) was not significantly lower in introduced regions, parasites infected introduced populations substantially less and crabs in introduced regions were larger and exhibited a greater biomass. Our results are consistent with the general prediction that introduced species suffer less from parasites compared to populations where they are native. This may partly explain why the green crab is such a successful invader and, subsequently, why it is a pest in so many places.