Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-wq2xx Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-19T05:09:37.771Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Movement Patterns and Migrations in Crabs: Telemetry of Juvenile and Adult Behaviour in Callinectes Sapidus and Maja Squinado

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 May 2009

A.H. Hines ,
T.G. Wolcott ,
E. González-Gurriarán ,
J.L. González-Escalante  and
J. Freire
A.H. Hines
Affiliation:
Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, PO Box 28, Edgewater, Maryland 21037, USA.
T.G. Wolcott
Affiliation:
Department of Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Box 8208, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695–8208, USA.
E. González-Gurriarán
Affiliation:
Departamento de Bioloxia Animal e Bioloxia Vexetal, Universidade da Coruna, Campus da Zapateira s/n, E-15071 A Coruna, Spain
J.L. González-Escalante
Affiliation:
Departamento de Bioloxia Animal e Bioloxia Vexetal, Universidade da Coruna, Campus da Zapateira s/n, E-15071 A Coruna, Spain
J. Freire
Affiliation:
Departamento de Bioloxia Animal e Bioloxia Vexetal, Universidade da Coruna, Campus da Zapateira s/n, E-15071 A Coruna, Spain
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Extract

Late stage juveniles and adults of Callinectes sapidus in Chesapeake Bay, USA, and Maja squinado off the Ria de Arousa, Spain, were compared for ontogenetic changes in movement patterns (speed, distance, orientation) and habitat selection (depth, substrate) using ultra-sonic telemetry and published information. After settling in submerged grass beds in the lower Bay, 20-mm juvenile C. sapidus disperse long distances into low salinity sub-estuaries to feed and grow to maturity in two years. Within the Rhode River sub-estuary, juvenile C. sapidus moved with a mean speed of 12 m h1 in nearshore shallows (1·1 m); whereas adults averaged 24 m h·1 in the deeper (2·9 m) channel areas and moved freely in and out of the main estuary. Individuals of both life stages exhibited a pattern of slow meandering (juveniles, 2 m h1, adults 10 m h·1) within a limited area, alternating with faster, directionally-oriented movement (both stages >50 m h·1) between meandering sites. Juvenile and adult males over winter in deeper water nearby, while inseminated females migrate long distances into high salinity areas to incubate the eggs. Callinectes sapidus completes the migration cycle only once per 2·5-y generation. Maja squinado settles on rocks in shallow kelp forests in the coastal zone, where they grow to maturity in 2 y. Juveniles moved slowly (0·5 m h·1) while meandering without directional orientation on shallow (4 m) small patch reefs during summer. After the pubertal moult in summer, adults also meandered slowly (1 m h·1) mostly on rocks at slightly greater depth (7 m). In late summer and autumn, newly mature and older adults moved with directional orientation into deeper (10·40 m) water for the winter, until migrating back to the shallows for the summer; whereas juveniles remained inshore on rocks for the winter. Adult M. squinado live several years after puberty and complete the seasonal migratory cycle several times during their lives.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 75 , Issue 1 , February 1995 , pp. 27 - 42
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 1995

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Batschelet, E., 1981. Circular statistics in biology. New York: Academic Press.Google Scholar
Campbell, A., 1986. Migratory movements of ovigerous lobsters, Homarus americanus, tagged off Grand Manan, eastern Canada. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 43,2197–2205.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Camus, P., 1983. Resultats d'une operation de marquage d'araigne'e de mer (Maia squinado, Herbst) adulte en baie d'Audierne (Bretagne sud). International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (CM Papers and Reports), CM 1983/K:29,11 pp.Google Scholar
Coulombe, F., Brethes, J.C, Bouchard, R. & Desrosiers, G., 1985. Segregation edaphique et bathymetrique chez le crabe des neiges, Chionoecetes opilio (O. Fabr.) dans le sud-ouest du Golfe du Saint-Laurent. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 42,169–180.Google Scholar
Dittel, A., Hines, A.H., Ruiz, G.M. & Ruffin, K.K., 1995. Effects of shallow water refuge on behavior and density-dependent mortality of juvenile blue crabs on Chesapeake Bay. Bulletin of Marine Science, in press.Google Scholar
Drach, P., 1939. Mue et cycle d'intermue chez les crustaces d6capodes. Annales de I'Institute Oceangraphique, 19,103–391.Google Scholar
Edwards, E., 1980. Preliminary results of a tagging experiment on the spider crab (Maia squinado) in the English Channel. International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (CM Papers and Reports), CM 1980/K.12, 7 pp.Google Scholar
Eggleston, D.B., Lipcius, R.N. & Hines, A.H., 1992. Density-dependent predation by blue crabs upon infaunal clam species with contrasting distribution and abundance patterns. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 85, 55–68.Google Scholar
Engel, W.A. Van, 1958. The blue crab and its fishery in the Chesapeake Bay. Part 1. Reproduction, early development, growth, and migration. Commercial Fisheries Review, 20, 6–17.Google Scholar
Everett, R.A. & Ruiz, G.M., 1993. Coarse wood debris as refuge from predation in aquatic communities: an experimental test. Oecologia, 93, 475–486.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fernandez, M., Iribarne, O. & Armstrong, D., 1993. Habitat selection by young-of-the-year Dungeness crab Cancer magister and predation risk in intertidal habitats. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 92, 171–177.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gonzalez-Gurriaran, E., Fernandez, L., Freire, J., Muino, R. & Parapar, J., 1993. Reproduction of the spider crab Maja squinado (Brachyura: Majidae) in the southern Galician coast (NW Spain). International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (CM Papers and Reports), CM 1993 /K:19,15 pp.Google Scholar
Gutermuth, F.B. & Armstrong, D.A., 1989. Temperature-dependent metabolic response of juve-nile Dungeness crab Cancer magister Dana: ecological implications for estuarine and coastal populations. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 126, 135–144.Google Scholar
Hawkins, A.D. & Urquhart, G.G., 1983. Tracking fish at sea. In Experimental biology at sea (ed. A.G., Macdonald and I.G., Priede), pp. 103–166. London: Academic Press.Google Scholar
Heck, K.L. Jr & Thoman, T.A., 1981. Experiments on predator-prey interactions in vegetated aquatic habitats. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 53,125–134.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Herrnkind, W.F. & Butler, M.J. IV, 1986. Factors regulating postlarval settlement and juvenile microhabitat use by spiny lobsters Panulirus argus. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 34, 23–30.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hines, A.H., 1982. Co-existence in a kelp forest: size, population dynamics, and resource partitioning in a guild of spider crabs. Ecological Monographs, 52,179–198.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hines, A.H., Haddon, A.M. & Wiechert, L.A., 1990. Guild structure and foraging impact of blue crabs and epibenthic fish in a subestuary of Chesapeake Bay. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 67, 105–126.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hines, A.H., Lipcius, R.N. & Haddon, A.M., 1987. Population dynamics and habitat partitioning by size, sex, and molt stage of blue crabs Callinectes sapidus in a subestuary of central Chesapeake Bay. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 36, 55–64.Google Scholar
Hines, A.H. & Ruiz, G.M., 1995. Temporal variation in juvenile mortality: blue crabs, nearshore shallows, and cannibalism in Chesapeake Bay. Bulletin of Marine Science, in press.Google Scholar
Hooper, R.G., 1986. A spring breeding migration of the snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio) into shallow water in Newfoundland. Crustaceana, 50, 257–264.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Johns, P.M. & Mann, K.H., 1987. An experimental investigation of juvenile lobster habitat preference and mortality among habitats of varying structural complexity. Journal of Experi-mental Marine Biology and Ecology, 109, 275–285.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kasello, P. A., Weatherley, A.H., Lotimer, J. & Farina, M.D., 1992. A biotelemetry system recording fish activity. Journal of Fish Biology, 40,165–179.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kergariou, G. De, 1976. Premiers resultats obtenus par marquage d l'araignee de mer, Maia squinado, deplacements, mortalite par peche. International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (CM Papers and Reports), CM 1976/K:14, 9 pp.Google Scholar
Kergariou, G. De, 1984. L'araignee de mer, Maia squinado H., biologie et exploitation. Peche Maritime, 63, 575–583.Google Scholar
Latrouite, D. & Le Foil, D., 1989. Donnees sur las migrations des crabes touteau Cancer pagurus et araignees de mer Maja squinado. Oceanis, 15,133–142.Google Scholar
Le Foil, D., 1993. Biologie et exploitation de l'araignee de mer Maja squinado Herbst en Manche ouest. IFREMER, Rapport Interne de la Direction des Resources Vivantes, 93.030 - RH/Brest, 517 pp.Google Scholar
Le Foil, D., Brichet, E., Reyss, J.L., Lalou, C. & Latrouite, D., 1989. Age determination of the spider crab Maja squinado and the European lobster Homarus gammarus by228Th/228Ra chronology: possible extension to other crustaceans. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 46, 720–724.Google Scholar
Lipcius, R.N. & Hines, A.H., 1986. Variable functional responses of a marine predator in dissimilar homogeneous microhabitats. Ecology, 67,1361–1371.Google Scholar
Martin, J., 1980. Abondance de larves d'etrille (Macropipus puber, L.), d'araignee (Maia squinado Herbst) et de torteau (Cancer pagurus, L.) sur la cote ouest du Cotentin (Manche) de 1977 a 1979. International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (CM Papers and Reports), CM 1980/K:21, 15 pp.Google Scholar
Martin, J., 1985. Abondance et distribution des larves d'araignee (Maia squinado Herbst) en Manche en 1983. International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (CM Papers and Reports), CM 1985/K:24,ll pp.Google Scholar
McConaugha, J.R., Johnson, D.F., Provenzano, A.J. & Maris, R.C., 1983. Seasonal distribution of larvae of Callinectes sapidus (Crustacea: Decapoda) in the waters adjacent to Chesapeake Bay. Journal of Crustacean Biology, 3, 582–591.Google Scholar
Millikin, M.R. & Williams, A.B., 1984. Synopsis of biological data on the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus Rathbun. FAO Fisheries Synopsis no. 138. [NOAA Technical Report NMF, 51, 1–39.]Google Scholar
Morgan, S.G., 1987 a. Behavioral and morphological antipredatory adaptations of decapod larvae. Oecologia, 73, 393–400.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Morgan, S.G., 1987 b. Adaptive significance of hatching rhythms and dispersal patterns of estuarine crab larvae: avoidance of physiological stress by larval export? Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 113, 71–78.Google Scholar
Morgan, S.G., 1990. Impact of planktivorous fishes on dispersal, hatching and morphology of estuarine crab larvae. Ecology, 71,1639–1652.Google Scholar
Morgan, S.G. & Christy, J.H., 1994. Adaptive significance of the timing of larval release of crabs. American Naturalist, in press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Montfrans, J. Van, Ryer, C.H. & Orth, R.J., 1991. Population dynamics of blue crabs Callinectes sapidus Rathbun in a lower Chesapeake Bay tidal marsh creek. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 153, 1–14.Google Scholar
Nye, L., 1989. Variation in feeding behaviour of blue crabs CCallinectes sapidus Rathbun) measured by ultrasonic telemetry. MSc dissertation, North Carolina State University, USA.Google Scholar
O'dor, R.K., Forsythe, J., Webber, D.M., Wells, J. & Wells, M.J., 1993. Activity levels of Nautilus in the wild. Nature, London, 362, 626–628.Google Scholar
Orth, R.J. & Montfrans, J. Van, 1990. Utilization of marsh and seagrass habitats by early stages of Callinectes sapidus: a latitudinal perspective. Bulletin of Marine Science, 46,126–144.Google Scholar
Pile, A.J., 1993. Effects of habitat and size-specific predation on the ontogenetic shift in habitat use by newly settled blue crabs. MSc dissertation, College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, USA.Google Scholar
Ruiz, G.M., Hines, A.H. & Posey, M.H., 1993. Shallow water as a refuge habitat for fish and crustaceans in non-vegetated estuaries: an example from Chesapeake Bay. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 99,1–16.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Schaffner, L.C. & Diaz, R.J., 1988. Distribution and abundance of overwintering blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus, in the lower Chesapeake Bay. Estuaries, 11, 68–72.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Shirley, M.A., Hines, A.H. & Wolcott, T.G., 1990. Adaptive significance of habitat selection by molting adult blue crabs Callinectes sapidus (Rathbun) within a subestuary of central Chesapeake Bay. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 140, 107–119.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Shirley, M.A. & Wolcott, T.G., 1991. A telemetric study of microhabitat selection by premolt and molting blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus (Rathbun), within a subestuary of the Pamlico River, North Carolina. Marine Behaviour and Physiology, 19,133–148.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Smith, L.D., 1990. The frequency and ecological consequences of limb autotomy in the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus Rathbun. PhD dissertation, University of Maryland, USA.Google Scholar
Smith, L.D. & Hines, A.H., 1991 a. Autotomy in blue crab (Callinectes sapidus Rathbun) populations: geographic, temporal, and ontogenetic variation. Biological Bulletin. Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, 180, 416–431.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Smith, L.D. & Hines, A.H., 1991 b. The effect of cheliped loss on blue crab Callinectes sapidus Rathbun foraging rate on soft-shell clams Mya arenaria L. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 151, 245–256.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Stevcic, Z., 1967. A short outline of the biology of the spinous spider crab. Bulletin Scientifique. Conseil des Academies de la RPF Yougoslavie, section A, 12,313–314.Google Scholar
Stevcic, Z., 1971. Odnos rakovice prema temperaturi. [The relationship of the spiny spider crab with temperature.]Ekologija, 6, 309–314.Google Scholar
Stevcic, Z., 1973. Les migrations de l'araignee de mer. Rapports et Proces-verbeaux des Reunions. Commission Internationale pour I'Exploration Scientifique de la Mer Mediterranee. Monaco, 21,597–598.Google Scholar
Tagatz, M.E., 1969. Growth of juvenile blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, in the St Johns River, Florida. Fishery Bulletin. Fish and Wildlife Service. Washington, DC, 67, 281–288.Google Scholar
Wahle, R.A. & Steneck, R.S., 1991. Recruitment habitats and nursery grounds of the American lobster Homarus americanus: a demographic bottleneck? Marine Ecology Progress Series, 69, 231–243.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wahle, R.A. & Steneck, R.S., 1992. Habitat restrictions in early benthic life: experiments on habitat selection and in situ predation with the American lobster. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 157, 91–114.Google Scholar
Watson, J., 1970. Tag recaptures and movements of adult male snow crabs, Chionoecetes opilio (O. Fabricius), in the Gaspe region of the Gulf of St Lawrence. Technical Report. Fisheries Research Board of Canada, 204, 1–16.Google Scholar
Watson, J. & Wells, P.G., 1972. Recaptures and movements of tagged snow crabs (Chionoecetes opilio) in 1970 from the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Technical Report. Fisheries Research Board of Canada, 349,1–12.Google Scholar
Wolcott, T.G. & Hines, A.H., 1989 a. Ultrasonic telemetry transmitters for behavioral studies on free-ranging estuarine blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus). In Biotelemetry X (ed. C.J., Amlaner Jr), pp. 285–295. Fayetteville: University of Arkansas Press.Google Scholar
Wolcott, T.G. & Hines, A.H., 1989 b. Ultrasonic biotelemetry of muscle activity from free-ranging marine animals: a new method for studying foraging by blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus). Biological Bulletin. Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, 176, 50–56.Google Scholar
Wolcott, T.G. & Hines, A.H., 1990. Ultrasonic telemetry of small-scale movements and microhabitat selection by molting blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus). Bulletin of Marine Science, 46, 83–94.Google Scholar