Distributional patterns of blue crabs (Callinectes sp.) in a tropical estuarine lagoon

A two-year trawl study of Laguna Joyuda, Puerto Rico, a small, polyhaline lagoon with restricted oceanic exchange, yielded 803 crabs belonging to sixCallinectes species.Callinectes danae was the most abundant (35.7%), followed byC. sapidus (21%),C. ornatus (12.6%),C. bocourti (12.1%),C. exasperatus (1.2%), andC. larvatus (0.4%). Abundances of different species differed more spatially than temporally despite very homogeneous salinities.Callinectes bocourti andC. sapidus were most abundant furthest from the lagoon’s inlet, whileC. danae andC. ornatus were most abundant near the inlet and in the center of lagoon. Juveniles were least abundant in the center of the lagoon. Size frequencies of most species showed common trends with high percentages of small crabs furthest from the inlet, and high percentages of larger crabs near the inlet and central parts of the lagoon. Distributional patterns appear to be a result of complex interactions of habitat preferences and intra- and interspecific interactions among the crabs.     

Distribution and abundance of overwintering blue crabs,Callinectes sapidus,in the lower Chesapeake Bay

A study was conducted to define winter distribution patterns of blue crabs,Callinectes sapidus, in the lower Chesapeake Bay and to relate these patterns to environmental variation. During February 1986 a stratified random survey was conducted to examine the distribution of blue crabs with respect to three major habitat types: 1) high energy, wave- and tide-dominated, spits and shoals; 2) moderate energy, tide-dominated basins; and 3) variable energy, tide-dominated or quiescent channels (natural or cut). Each major habitat type was further stratified on the basis of location (to account for possible salinity effects), resulting in a total of 17 habitat-stratum combinations. Blue crabs exhibited significant differences in abundance among habitats. Crabs were most abundant in the basin habitat and least abundant in the shoal and spit habitat. A posteriori evaluations of abundance patterns in relation to sediment type and depth showed that crabs were significantly more abundant where sediments contained between 41 and 60% sand and at depths exceeding 9 m. The sampled population of blue crabs was dominated by mature females. There were no significant differences in crab sex ratios between habitats, but significant differences between two fixed sites sampled through the winter showed that there were proportionately more male crabs at the western site than there were at the eastern site. The observed patterns indicate that some differential habitat utilization occurs and that overwintering female crabs are found preferentially in areas characterized by moderate energy regimes and fine, but sandy sediments.     

Fauna of polyhaline subtidal marsh creeks in Southern New Jersey: Composition,abundance and biomass

Three polyhaline subtidal marsh creeks in southern New Jersey were sampled with weirs and seines to determine seasonal patterns of utilization by fishes and macroinvertebrates. Sixty-four species of fish, 13 invertebrates, and the diamondback terrapin were collected in 69 weir and 57 seine samples from April to November 1988 and April to October 1989. Average abundance, biomass, and faunal composition were strongly seasonal with greatest abundances during spring and summer, and peaks in May and August. Sixteen species were represented by all life-history stages, including the five most important species by combined ranks of percent frequency, mean abundance, and mean biomass. These five species were important during spring, summer, and fall and included the fishes Menidia menidia and Fundulus heteroclitus, the shrimps Palaemonetes vulgaris and Crangon septemspinosa, and the crab Callinectes sapidus. In addition, there were distinct seasonal assemblages of other species which utilized the creeks primarily as young-of-the-year. Importnat species in spring collections included the fishes Clupea harengus, Alosa aestivalis, Alosa pseudoharengus, Pollachius virens, and Urophysics regia, while Leiostomus xanthurus, Pomatomus saltatrix, Paralichthys dentatus, Mugil curema, and Strongylura marina were important in the summer. Fall samples were best characterized by declining abundances of summer species. Thus, subtidal marsh creeks in southern New Jersey appear to be valuable nurseries for a variety of species which spawn over the continental shelf, as well as one of the most important habitats for estuarine residents.     

Changes in beach water table elevation during neap and spring tides on a sandy estuarine beach, Delaware Bay, New Jersey

A field investigation of temporal and spatial changes in wind and wave characteristics, runup and beach water table elevation was conducted on the foreshore of an estuarine beach in Delaware Bay during neap (April 9, 1995) and spring (April 16, 1995) tides under low wave-energy conditions. The beach has a relatively steep, sandy foreshore and semi-diurnal tides with a mean range of 1.6 m and a mean spring range of 1.9 m. Data from a pressure transducer placed on the low tide terrace reveal a rate of rise and fall of the water level on April 16 of 0.09 mm s⁻¹ resulting in a steeper tidal curve than the neap tide on April 9. Data from three pressure transducers placed in wells in the intertidal foreshore reveal that the landward slope of the water table during the rising neap tide was lower than the slope during spring tide, and there was a slower rate of fall of the beach water table relative to the fall of the tide. Wave heights were lower on April 9 (significant height from 17.1 min records <0.16 m). The water table elevation was 0.08 m higher than the water in the bay at the time of high water, when maximum runup elevation was 0.29 m above high water and maximum runup width was 2.0 m. The elevation of the water table was 0.13 m higher than the maximum elevation of water level in the bay 74 min after high water, when wave height was 0.12 m and wave period was 2.7 s. The use of mean bay water level at high tide will underpredict the elevation of the water table in the beach, and demarcation of biological sampling stations across the intertidal profile based on mean tide conditions will not accurately reflect the water content of the sandy beach matrix.     

Polychlorinated biphenyl contamination in selected estuarine and coastal marine finfish and shellfish of New Jersey

Analysis of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in selected finfish and shellfish from the estuarine and coastal marine waters of New Jersey reveals variable levels of contamination in different regions of the state. Monitoring surveys conducted by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection during the last two decades indicate that biota from the northeast region are the most severely contaminated with PCBs. Early monitoring in the 1970s showed that as much as 75% of the finfish and 50% of the shellfish analyzed for Aroclor 1254—the most persistent and toxic mixture of PCBs—contained detectable levels of PCB in their edible flesh. The American eel (Anguilla rostrata), bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix), striped bass (Morone saxatilis), white catfish (Ictalurus catus), white perch (M. americana), and blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) exhibited high PCB levels in 1981–1982, generally approaching or exceeding the United States Food and Drug Administration action level of 2 ppm fresh weight for these organisms. PCB contamination in finfish and shellfish collected during survey periods of 1986–1987 and 1988–1991 was consistent with the previous years' data showing the northeast region of the state to be the most severely contaminated. Despite decreases in contaminant levels in some species (e.g., striped bass) and regions, results of the most recent survey confirm widespread occurrences of PCBs above background levels in the edible portions of various species from many areas of New Jersey.     

Disposition of polycyclic aromatic compounds in blue crabs,Callinectes sapidus,from the southern Chesapeake Bay

The blue crab,Callinectes sapidus, is an abundant and widely distributed species in the Chesapeake Bay. It also supports a valuable fishery. Minimal information concerning concentrations of toxic organic compounds in crustaceans of the southern Chesapeake Bay is currently available. As a consequence, a study to determine the tissue burdens and behavior of lipophilic polycylic aromatic compounds (PACs) in these organisms was undertaken. Highest concentrations of PACs were detected in hepatopancreas, followed by ovarian and muscle tissues. Extractable lipid levels in the tissues were positively correlated with organic xenobiotic concentrations. The major contaminants detected in blue crabs sampled from the southern bay were alkylated PACs, as opposed to unsubstituted polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons which have been reported to predominate in molluscs and sediments of the bay. This dichotomy may be due to differences in contaminant bioavailability or in the relative abilities of the organisms to eliminate xenobiotics. Crabs from both heavily industrialized and relatively undeveloped areas, showed evidence of exposure. These data suggest that localized areas of contamination and episodic contaminant releases may result in xenobiotic body burdens in mobile/migratory species. Crabs acutely exposed to radiolabeled benzo(a)pyrene in the laboratory were capable of rapid bioaccumulation. After transfer to clean water, the organisms efficiently eliminated this material, although at a rate slower than that observed for accumulation. Evidence that ecdysis in crustaceans may affect the disposition of PACs was also witnessed in these experiments. Differences in tissue concentrations of benzo(a)pyrene derived material were observed between crabs of various sex, maturity, and molt stages.     

Tidal and seasonal variations of sulfate ion in a New Jersey marsh system

Sulfate variations during a tidal cycle were investigated at three sites in a highly polluted tidal marsh. Sulfate- chlorinity relationships were determined in the light of fluctuations in temperature, dissolved oxygen and pH. The relationships were found to be seasonal in nature, being affected by temperature and rainfall effects on biologic productivity. Both reduction of sulfate ion to a sulfide species and oxidation of sulfide species to the sulfate ion were found to occur. Consideration of the sulfide oxidation process suggests the possibility that metals precipitated as sulfides may be mobilized and redistributed in the marsh system.     

Kepone distribution in selected tissues of blue crabs,Callinectes sapidus,collected from the James River and lower Chesapeake Bay

Male, ovigerous female and nonovigerous female blue crabs were collected from seven stations in the lower Chesapeake Bay and lower James River, Virginia. The Kepone concentration in muscle, gonad and hepatopancreas was determined by GC analysis. All crabs from the lower Bay contained little Kepone, while many of those from the lower James River were contaminated. Male crabs contained more Kepone in the backfin muscle than females. Female crabs concentrated Kepone into the gonad, and, to a lesser extent, the hepatopancreas whereas the males did not. Ovigerous female crabs with spent ovaries, had less Kepone in the ovary than the corresponding egg masses. Further, ovigerous females, especially those with spent ovaries, had more Kepone in backfin muscle than nonovigerous females. It is concluded that the differences in Kepone partitioning among tissues of male and female crabs may explain the previously reported observation that males contain more Kepone in the backfin muscle than do females.     

The abundance of estuarine larval and juvenile fish in a South Carolina intertidal creek

The fall and winter population of larval fish in a small intertidal creek was measured. The creek was blocked at high tide, and the immature fish were captured in a channel net designed for consistent quantitative sampling as they left with the ebbing tide. A total of 573,739 individuals with a biomass (preserved wet weight) of 66.1 kg were captured during the eight month sampling period (October 1974–May 1975). Twelve families, 13 genera, and 16 species were represented, with five species comprising 99.3% of the fish captured. The five species were:Leiostomus xanthurus (53.5%),Lagodon rhomboides (31.7%),Brevoortia tyrannus (11.9%),Micropogon undulatus (1.7%), andMyrophis punctatus (0.5%). The net was efficient, the catch was seasonal, and the greatest larval abundance occurred in February and March.     

Patterns of seasonal availability and habitat use by fishes and decapod crustaceans in a southern New Jersey estuary

We examined the community structure of fish and selected decapod crustaceans and tested for within estuary differences among habitats at depths of 0.6 m to 7.9 m, in Great Bay and Little Egg Harbor in southern New Jersey. Several habitat types were identified a priori (e.g., eelgrass, sea lettuce, and marsh creeks) and sampled by trawl (4.9 m headrope, 19-mm mesh wings, 6.3-mm mesh liner), monthly, from June 1988 through October 1989. Repetitive (n=4) 2-min trawl tows were taken at each habitat type from 13 locations. The fishes and decapod crustaceans collected were typical of other Mid-Atlantic Bight estuaries but varied greatly inseasonal abundance and species. In the years sampled, bay anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli) was the dominant species (50.5% of the total number), followed by spot (Leiostomus xanthurus) (10.7%), Atlantic silverside (Menidia menidia) (9.7%), fourspine stickleback (Apeltes quadracus) (5.9%), blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) (4.6%), and northern pipefish (Syngnathus fuscus) (4.2%). The biota were examined by multi-dimensional scaling (MDS) for habitat associations and “best abiotic predictor” of community structure. Percent silt combined with salinity was the most important abiotic determinant of the faunal distributions among habitats. Temperature was a major factor influencing seasonal occurrence of the biota but had less effect on habitat comparisons. The analysis confirmed the distinct nature of the assemblages associated with the habitats, that is, eelgrass, upper estuary subtidal creeks, channels, and open bay areas. Several species were associated with specific habitats: for example,A. quadracus andS. fuscus with eelgrass, clupeids with subtidal creek stations,L. xanthurus with marsh channels, and black sea bass (Centropristis striata) and spotted hake (Urophycis regia) with sponge-peat habitat. Species richness appeared to be positively related to habitat structural heterogeneity. Thus, the best predictors for these estuarine fish and decapod crustacean assemblages were seasonal temperature, percent silt and salinity combined, and the physical heterogeneity of the habitat.     

Regional and temporal variability in distribution and abundance of bay anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli) eggs, larvae, and adult biomass in the Chesapeake Bay

Patterns and variability in reproductive output of pelagic fish are seldom determined at the ecosystem scale. We examined temporal and spatial variability in spawning by bay anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli), and in distribution and abundances of its pelagic early-life stages, throughout Chesapeake Bay. On two cruises in June and July 1993, ichthyoplankton and zooplankton were collected on 15 transects at 18.5-km (10 nautical mile) intervals over the 260-km length of the bay. Finer-scale sampling was carried out in a grid of stations between two transects on each cruise. Regional abundance patterns of bay anchovy eggs and larvae in the lower, mid, and upper Bay were compared with zooplankton abundances, environmental variables, and biovolumes of two gelatinous predators—the scyphomedusa Chrysaora quinquecirrha and the lobate ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi. Abundances of anchovy eggs, and, especially, larvae were higher in July than in June. Baywide daily egg production increased from 4.25×10¹² in June to 8.43×10¹² in July. Concentrations of zooplankton that are potential anchovy prey nearly doubled on a baywide basis between June and July, while biovolumes of the ctenophore declined. Except for scyphomedusan biovolumes, all analyzed organisms differed regionally in abundance and were patchily distributed at 1-km to 10-km sampling scales. Negative correlations between larval anchovy abundances and gelatinous predator biovolumes suggested that predation may have controlled abundances of bay anchovy early-life stages. Biomasses of adult anchovy, estimated from daily egg productions, were higher in the lower Bay and remarkably similar—23,433 tons in June and 23,194 tons in July. Most spawning by bay anchovy occurred during July in the seaward third of Chesapeake Bay, emphasizing the importance of this region for recruitment potential of the Bay's most abundant fish.     

Evaluation of criteria for predicting erosion and accretion on an estuarine sand beach, Delaware Bay, Jew Jersey

Predicting erosion and accretion of sand beaches in estuaries is important to managing shoreline development and identifying potential relationships between biological productivity and beach change. Wave, sediment and profile data, gathered over twenty-nine days on an estuarine sand beach in Delaware Bay, New Jersey, were used to evaluate the performance of four criteria that predict beach erosion and accretion due to wave-induced cross-shore sediment movement (Dean 1973; Sunamura and Horikawa 1974; Hattori and Kawamata 1980; Kraus et al. 1991). Each criterion defines a relation, between a wave and sediment parameter, and includes a coefficient that discriminates beach erosion and accretion events. Relations, based on small-scale laboratory and field data, were evaluated for predicting erosion or accretion at the study site. Significant wave heights at the study site, monitored near high water, ranged from 0.08 to 0.52 m with periods of 2.4 to 12.8 s. Median grain sizes of sediments on the beach foreshore, gathered at low water, ranged from 0.33 to 0.73 mm. All four criteria showed a clustering of erosion and accretion events. Relations derived from small-scale laboratory data were better predictors of erosion on the profile at the field site than those derived from field data gathered on exposed ocean environments. The planar profile and dominance of incident waves of low height and short period are similar to laboratory conditions characterized by initial planar beach slopes and monochromatic waves. Decreasing the value of the empirical coefficient to account for the differences in the magnitude of wave energy and grain size increases the performance of the criteria tested to predict erosion of the profile.     

Decline in size of male blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) from 1968 to 2000 near Calvert Cliffs, Maryland

Maryland commercial landings of the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) and catch per unit effort (CPUE) have remained fairly stable over the past 33 yr despite occasional large deviations from the long-term average. During this time, however, significant declines in the percent of legal male crabs and the mean size of legal males caught in fishery-independent surveys near Calvert Cliffs, Maryland have become apparent. Sublegal females and two of the three legal female classes (152–177 and >178 mm CW) showed no significant trends over this 33-yr period when examined by linear regression. Males showed significant trends for all size classes. Sublegal males increased from 24% of the male population during the first 5 yr of the study (1968–1972) to 71% during 1996–2000. All classes of legal males, however, exhibited downward trends. Males 127–151 mm CW decreased from 45% of the male population in the earliest period to 22% during the last 5 yr. Males 152–177 mm decreased from 27% during 1968–1972 to only 6% during 1996–2000, and males > 178 mm declined from 4% in the earliest period to 0.5% in the recent period. These size decreases for the most valuable portion of the blue crab population are further evidence of over-exploitation. The declining trends in male size indicate that growth overfishing is occurring as intense fishing pressure removes so many male crabs from the population as they reach legal size that few remain to molt to larger size. A 3-yr data set from the Patuxent River, where commercial use of crab pots is restricted and fishing pressure is lower, suggests that legal male crabs are able to attain larger size compared to an area where the pot fishery is intense. A recommendation could be made for reducing effort where the pot fishery is intense by means of time, gear, catch limits, and/or by increasing the minimum size of legal crabs to allow larger crabs to enter the fishery.     

Sourcing carbonate pointed stones from the barrier beach of Mantoloking,New Jersey,USA

Over 500 previously unidentified, symmetric pointed stones of similar size, shape, color, and texture have been found on the barrier beach of Mantoloking, New Jersey, since 1940. Petrographic, stereo, and scanning electron microscopy analysis reveals that the stones are made of either a biomicritic packstone composed of 50% siliceous microfossil remains ( including sponge spicules and radiolaria) embedded in a micrite matrix or a limestone with abundant angular quartz grains (50–150 μm wide) surrounded by a calcite matrix. The distinctive shape of the Mantoloking stones is most similar to whetstones used for sharpening scythes. We conducted a worldwide search and discovered one producer of carbonate whetstones: a company in the town of Pradalunga in Northern Italy. Microscope analysis reveals that the Pradalunga source rocks are exact matches for the spicule‐rich limestone and angular quartz‐rich limestone found in the Mantoloking collection. The whetstones are most likely lost cargo from a wreck offshore of Mantoloking, but the exact source may never be known. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Distribution and abundance of grapsid crabs (Grapsidae) in a mangrove estuary: Effects of sediment characteristics,salinity tolerances,and osmoregulatory ability

Crabs (Grapsidae,Sesarma) are the dominant macrofaunal group of mangrove forest soils in northern Australia. Little is known about the ecology of these crabs or the factors that influence their distribution in mangrove forests. Pitfall traps were used to sample grapsid crabs in the Murray River estuary in north Queensland. Sampling was conducted at five sites along a salinity gradient from <1‰ at upstream sites to >35‰ at the river mouth. At each site, trapping was done in both low and high intertidal forests. We characterized the sediments at each site by measuring percent sand, silt, clay and organic matter, Eh, pH, and soil pore-water salinity. Four species of grapsids dominated the crab fauna along the Murray River (Sesarma semperi-longicristatum, S. messa, S. brevicristatum, andS. brevipes). Distinct zonation patterns were found along the salinity gradient and between high and low intertidal forests.S. messa was dominant in high intertidal, downstream forests, high and low intertidal forests in the middle to downstream portion of the river, and in low intertidal forests in the central reach of the river.S. brevipes was dominant in both low and high intertidal zone forests at low salinity upstream sites.S. brevicristatum was most abundant in the central reaches of the river and only in the high intertidal zone.S. semperi-longicristatum was found only in the low intertidal zone, downstream forest. Subsequently, tests of salinity tolerances of these crabs were carried out in the laboratory. These indicated very wide tolerances over salinities from completely fresh to hypersaline (60‰). The osmoregulatory abilities of the crabs were also found to vary. However, neither their salinity tolerance nor osmoregulatory ability adequately explain the zonation patterns were measured in the field. For example,S. brevicristatum had the most restricted distribution, but it had the second broadest salinity tolerance and osmoregulatory ability. Sediment characteristics explained a significant amount of the variation in abundance for two of the crab species. Pore-water salinity provided no explanatory power for any of the species. Individual species abundances are probably influenced by additional factors such as interspecific competition and predation.     

First Psocodean (Psocodea,Empheriidae) from the Cretaceous Amber of New Jersey

<正>Representatives of the extinct psocid family Empheriidae are known from Eocene Baltic amber, Lowermost Eocene French amber(Oise),and Lower Cretaceous Spanish amber(Alava).We report herein the first discovery of an empheriid psocid from the Cretaceous amber of New Jersey as Jerseyempheria grimaldii gen.et sp. nov.The fossil is figured and described.The new species is distinguished from related taxa.A discussion and checklist of Empheriidae are provided.     

Habitat use patterns of the mummichog,Fundulus heteroclitus, in New England. I. Intramarsh variation

Although studies of intertidal habitats have contributed greatly to the field of ecology, the processes governing the use of these areas by highly mobile animals such as fish remain poorly understood. In particular, although large-scale patterns of estuarine fish abundances are well known, fine-scale patterns of habitat use have been largely overlooked. Here, I examine among and within habitat use patterns of the mummichog,Fundulus heteroclitus, in a New England salt marsh. Using minnow traps I sampled changes in mummichog habitat use among closely spaced sites within creeks, mudflat, and channel over 2 yr. The general pattern of mummichog captures was consistent among years, showing peaks in summer months and lows in winter. Use of specific habitat types was also seasonally dependent. For most of the year (fall, winter, spring) mudflat capture rates were lower than creek capture rates in the summer; however, densities in the mudflat equal or exceed those in creeks. In most months channel habitats did not differ significantly in use from either creek or mudflat habitat. Consistent patterns also occur within induividual marsh habitats.F. heteroclitus concentrate in the uppermost portion of creeks. Additionally, mudflat capture rates (August 1990) declined with increasing water depth. Diurnal habitat use is heavier than nocturnal use for all habitats. These findings demonstrate that mummichogs are restricted to areas representing a very small proportion of total available habitat and that their patterns of habitat use are strongly seasonal. Only careful experimental work can determine the relative advantages of these habitats for estuarine fish. Further comparative work is required to reveal how biological and physical parameters affecting habitat use may vary geographically.     

New raninid crabs (Crustacea,Decapoda, Brachyura) from the late Maastrichtian of the Netherlands

Three new raninid crabs, Lyreidina pyriformis gen. n., sp. n., Raniliformis chevrona sp. n., and Raniliformis prebaltica sp. n., are described from the Maastrichtian type area (SE Netherlands). The new genus Lyreidina is the third member within the subfamily Lyreidinae Guinot 1993, and the first anterolateral-spines-lacking representative from the Cretaceous. The evolutionary development of the genus Raniliformis Jagt, Collins & Fraaye (1993) seems to include a continuous lineage occlusa-prebaltica-baltica. R. chevrona is considered as an offshoot.     

Geochronology and sedimentology of the lower Passaic River,New Jersey

In an attempt to characterize localized rates of sediment accretion, 10 sediment cores were collected from the lower reach of the Passaic River, a major tributary of Newark Bay, New Jersey. Sediments were assayed for ²¹⁰Pb activity at predetermined depths and the rate of sediment accretion (cm yr^?1) was estimated from the least squares regression of the log of unsupported activity versus depth. Sediment accretion rates, derived from ²¹⁰Pb measurements (R_Pb) were used to predict the depth interval within the core containing sediments deposited around 1954; subsequent ¹³⁷Cs analyses were focused on this depth interval. Sediment accretion rates derived from ¹³⁷Cs measurements (R_Cs) were extrapolated from the depth of the 1954 horizon. Lead-210 derived sediment accretion rates in cores collected from a sediment bench extending along the inside bend on the southern shore of a meander in the river, ranged from 4.1 cm yr^?1 to 10.2 cm yr^?1 and averaged 6.8 cm yr^?1. The R_Cs estimates for cores from this area ranged from 3.8 cm yr^?1 to 8.9 cm yr^?1 and averaged 6.6 cm yr^?1. The R_Cs for cores collected in a more hydrologically dynamic reach of the river upstream of the sediment bench, were only 0.41 cm yr^?1 and 0.66 cm yr^?1. The results of this investigation indicate that this reach of the lower Passaic River is an area of high sediment accumulation, retaining much of the sediment load deposited from upstream and downstream sources. The rates of sediment accretion in the lower Passaic River are among the highest reported anywhere in the Newark Bay estuary.