Blue Crabs :: essays research papers

The scientific name given to the sober crab was derived from Latin and GreekCalli, beautiful nectes, swimmer and sapidus, savory. Thus, a literaltransition capability be the beautiful savory swimmer.The high crab is an important and kindle species. The juicy crab isa species whose life history involves a daedal cycle of planktonic, nektonic,and benthic stages which occur throughout the devil dog environment in avariety of habitats. The blue crab is one of the more rank estuarineinvertebrates and supports important commercial and recreational fisheriesalong the Atlantic and disjuncture coasts. The blue crab plays an important role inthe marine fodder web, providing prey for many species and a predator on otherspecies. The blue crab is a highly prized commodity to consumers. Eight species of Callinectes film been documented in the Gulf ofMexico C. bocourti, C. danae, C. ornatus, C. exasperatus, C. marginatus, C.similis and C. rathbunae, and Callinectes sapidus. The original range of the blue crab is from Nova Scotia and throughoutthe Gulf of Mexico to northern Argentina. The blue crab is seldom found northof Cape Cod, but has been recorded in Maine and Nova Scotia. The blue crabhas been introduced into Europe, North Africa, and Southwest Asia.Introductions into the Mediterranean Sea and surrounding irrigate haveproduced breeding populations whereas others were probably temporaryoccurrences. The blue crab in like manner has been introduced into Japan.Blue crabs be one of the most common marine invertebrates and aregenerally abundant throughout the oceans. Peak abundance of adult crabsoccurs during the warmer months. During winter, crabs are found in areas oftidal exchange in the lower estuary. Juvenile blue crabs are most abundant inwaters of low to intermediate brininess during the winter months.Males become sexually mature at the 18 or 19th exuviate but may continueto grow and shake off an additional 3-4 times thereafter. Female crabs wereinit ially thought to rarely, if ever, pour forth again following their mature molt.However, mature females undergoing a second molt have been verified.