Intertidal mangrove boundary zones as nursery grounds for the mud crab Scylla serrata

The demand for mud crab Scylla serrata (Forsskål 1775) in the global market has increased, hence there is growing momentum to farm the species in Africa. Aquaculture production in Kenya and elsewhere in East Africa currently relies on juvenile seeds sourced from the wild. Wild-seed collection calls for management of the juvenile crab industry founded on knowledge of the species’ ecology, so as to achieve a sustainable seed supply and recruitment to the capture fishery. This study investigated the tidal, diurnal and seasonal occurrence of juvenile crabs in three habitats (intertidal-flat boundary zones, inside the mangroves, and in channels) in small creeks (Mida, Kilifi and Mtwapa) and Gazi Bay, on the coast of Kenya. Sampling was done with scoop nets and seining at receding tides and via burrow searches at low spring tides (day and night). Juveniles in the mangrove/intertidal-flat boundary zone were found sheltered under mangrove leaves or debris, or in shallow burrows during low spring tides, whereas at receding tides they could be seen moving out with the tide or searching for sheltering substrate or burrows. Catch per unit effort at high-abundance sites varied between 59 and 68 crabs fisher^?1 day^?1. More juvenile crabs, sized 10–80 mm internal carapace width (ICW), occurred at night during the receding tide. Net-seining was effective in the collection of juvenile mud crabs <30 mm ICW, whereas burrow sampling was effective for gathering larger crabs. However, collection of juveniles by seining reduced the quality of the crabs caught due to frequent loss of chelipeds, as compared with retrieving individual crabs by searching burrows. Some juveniles collected in the intertidal-flat boundary-zone habitat were either in the process of moulting or had just moulted, indicating the significance of this habitat for mud crabs at this physically delicate life stage.     

拟穴青蟹大眼幼体和第Ⅰ期仔蟹底质选择的研究

拟穴青蟹大眼幼体和仔蟹对海泥和泥沙底质的选择性显著高于各种粒径的沙底（粒度0.06～2.00mm）.其原因可能与海泥和泥沙底质在流动海水中物理稳定性高于沙砾有关.通过以埋栖选择性和相对埋栖率为指标考察了大眼幼体和仔蟹的栖息方式,发现白昼大眼幼体埋栖在底质中的比例显著高于夜间,也高于仔蟹;夜间大眼幼体栖息方式与仔蟹差别不明显;并发现大眼幼体栖息方式存在着昼夜差异和昼夜节律性.这揭示了拟穴青蟹大眼幼体对底质的选择性和在底质上栖息的方式表现出对FTT机制的适应.     

Trends in exploitation, development and management of artisanal mud crab (Scylla serrata-Forsskal-1775) fishery and small-scale culture in Kenya: An overview

Mud crab (Scylla serrata) is a delicacy for subsistence consumption in fisher communities and tourist hotels in the coast of Kenya while export demand to markets in China and Japan is expanding and provides competitively higher prices. Crab exploitation and degradation of the mangrove forests have increased over the last decades therefore threatening the capture fishery. The preferred market size crab has consistently decreased from more than 1 kg two decades ago to the current size of 0.5 kg therefore posing both management and livelihood threat to the critical ecosystem (mangrove) and coastal populations. To meet the increased tourist and export demand and provide surplus for the local community while conserving the critical crab ecosystem, small-scale aquaculture has been initiated in the concept of silvofisheries. Initial culture methods have targeted sub-adult crabs of 150–350 g for culture to market size (>0.5 kg) in drive-in cages and pens (mud crab fattening). These technology attained survival of between 50 and 70% and a market price of 5 dollars per kilogram. However, research is ongoing to assess viability of stocking juvenile seed crabs directly in ponds as practised in South East Asia (SEA) as opposed to stocking of sub-adults in drive-in cages. In comparison with other areas, crab capture fisheries in East Africa have limited management and enforcement frameworks/capabilities within the wider regional fisheries policies. Also there is limited understanding of wild mud crab resources and suitable management options to avoid over-exploitation as observed in SEA. The double-edged demand (wild market size capture and juvenile capture for aquaculture) for mud crabs in addition to mangrove degradation are likely to cause great challenges to stock exploitation and livelihoods of the coastal people dependent on the resource. This review paper provides an inside onto the tradition, trends and options for development of mud crab capture and culture in Kenya.     

锯缘青蟹秋苗土池越冬的试验研究

本文报道１９９３和１９９４年秋季作者培育的部分锯缘青蟹仔蟹苗土池越冬试验。结果表明人工培育的青蟹苗在闽南地区的自然条件下,可以在室外土池完全越科,成活率可达６０－８０％,水温是影响青蟹生命活动的主要因素;由于越冬期间青蟹营养积累不足,导致难以顺利地完成越冬后的第一次生长蜕壳,造成大量死亡,这是影响青蟹越冬存活率的主要因素之一;越科后期病死青蟹肝胰组织进行涂片处理,发现６只受检蟹中２只肝胰组织中有日     

Effects of habitat complexity on cannibalism rates in European green crabs (Carcinus maenas Linnaeus, 1758)

The habitat in which predator–prey interactions take place may have a profound influence on the outcome of those interactions. Cannibalism is an intriguing form of predation whereby foraging by predators may contribute to the regulation of their own populations.This is particularly interesting in the case of invasive species, like the widely distributed European green crab (Carcinus maenas). This study explores how habitat complexity influences cannibalism rates in green crab populations of Prince Edward Island, Atlantic Canada. Both laboratory and field experiments were conducted to measure feeding rates by individual adult green crabs on a standard number of smaller conspecifics. In the laboratory, experimental treatments mimicked unstructured to increasingly structured habitats: water, sandy bottom, oyster shells, mussel shells, oyster shells with sandy bottom and mussel shells with sandy bottom. In those trials, adult green crabs consumed several times more juveniles on unstructured habitats than on the most structured ones, with a gradual decrease in predation rates across increasingly complex habitats. Field inclusion experiments used the same approach and were conducted in sandy bottoms, sandy bottoms with a layer of oyster shells and sandy bottoms with a layer of mussel shells. These trials showed similar patterns of decreasing feeding rates across increasingly complex habitats, but differences among treatments were not significant. These results support the idea that complex habitats have the potential to mediate predator–prey interactions, including adult–juvenile cannibalism in green crabs.     

Effect of crab size and habitat type on the locomotory activity of juvenile shore crabs, Carcinus maenas

Post-settlement processes are a major focus in the study of the dynamics of marine populations and communities. Post-settlement movement of juveniles is an important, but often ignored, process which affects local predator–prey and competitive interactions. We used benthic suction sampling and pitfall traps to examine density and locomotory activity of Carcinus maenas juveniles in different intertidal habitat types in the Rio Mira Estuary, Portugal, to better understand intra-specific interactions in a system where density-dependent processes are known to regulate population dynamics. As expected, significantly higher densities of juvenile shore crabs were found from bare mud compared to densely vegetated habitats. At the time of sampling, small and intermediate stages together outnumbered by far the larger juveniles. Conversely, larger crabs were much more frequent than smaller ones in traps. A locomotory index (LI), i.e. the ratio between crab catch in pitfall traps and their density within their moving range, is proposed as a measure of movement. LI analyses indicated that: (1) movement is an order of magnitude higher in large than small juveniles and much higher in sparse than dense vegetation cover; (2) activity of small juveniles is mostly crepuscular, regardless of vegetation cover; and (3) movement of large juveniles is very limited in dense Zostera patches, but very high in sparsely vegetated areas, during the day and night. These results suggest that small juveniles are relatively protected under dense vegetation cover due to lower mobility of larger crabs, and provide evidence of temporal segregation of activity windows between juvenile crabs of different sizes, which may be a key mechanism to reduce cannibalism and therefore increase the carrying capacity of nursery habitats.     

砂粒粒径与砂层厚度对单体筐养养殖系统中三疣梭子蟹幼蟹摄食行为与生长特性的影响研究*

提要 在梭子蟹的单体筐养养殖系统中,试验了生态掩体(砂盒)中不同的砂粒粒径大小以及砂层厚度对梭子蟹幼蟹摄食行为与生长特性的影响。砂粒粒径设三个水平,分别为：>2 mm、<0.2 mm以及混合砂;砂层厚度有0cm、2cm、5cm、8cm四个水平。试验共进行6天,结果表明：砂粒粒径及砂层厚度对梭子蟹幼蟹的摄食与生长都有明显的影响。从砂粒粒径看,幼蟹在细砂(SPS)中挖洞休息,蟹体与砂面呈30-45°角,仅露眼睛及触角在外。一天内有3-6次进食,总进食时间为142.7±22.52 min,在摄食次数、总进食时间、平均摄食量(0.2427±0.0137 g/gBW)、以及脱皮及成活率都远高于其他粒径组,该组中幼蟹的体重增长最快,增加了0.814±0.113 g,增长率为91.5±3.43%;而该组的饵料系数(FCR)最低为1.17±0.11。因此,筐养养殖系统砂掩体的砂粒粒径最好为0.2 mm以下。砂层厚度也有类似结果,5 cm以上厚度养殖效果最佳。平均摄食量为0.2087±0.0046 g/gBW,该厚度下,幼蟹无死亡、100%脱皮,体重也增加最快,增加了0.791±0.121 g,增长率为88.9±3.74%,饵料系数(FCR)达到1.37±0.23,表明筐养系统掩体中砂层厚度要在5 cm以上。三种保护性酶类(SOD, POD, CAT)活性随着砂粒粒径变小和砂层厚度增加而降低,而消化酶类(淀粉酶、蛋白酶、脂酶)活性则表现与保护性酶类相反特性。从两类酶的活性变化也能证实,在优选条件下(细砂、厚度>5 cm),幼蟹所受的胁迫在降低。     

中华鲎(Tachypleus tridentatus)稚鲎对不同比例泥沙类型选择行为特征

中华鲎(Tachypleus tridentatus)是保障我国医疗检测安全的重要战略生物资源,国内外中华鲎行为生态学相关研究极少。在实验室内模拟砾石底(NS)、细砂(SS)、中砂(MS)、粗砂(CS)、泥(AR)、泥沙1 (AA)、泥沙2 (AB)和沙泥(SA) 8种不同比例的泥沙类型对中华鲎行为特征的影响。结果表明,稚鲎较多时间潜藏于泥沙中,较少时间裸露于泥沙表面活动(如爬行、游泳等)。稚鲎偏好在含淤泥较多的泥沙类型中潜沙,且在泥质和泥沙质类型中埋栖时间较在沙质中埋栖时间长;在裸露于泥沙表面时,稚鲎相对偏好栖息于沙质底。泥沙环境下稚鲎用于游泳的时间比例高于砾石底。在凌晨、上午、中午、下午、夜晚5个时间段中,稚鲎在夜晚和凌晨活动较活跃。通过揭示不同比例的泥沙类型底质对中华鲎稚鲎行为特征的影响,为野外增殖放流计划的设计与实施、放流适宜地点的选择以及稚鲎人工养殖环境的优化提供科学理论依据。     

Intraspecific Interactions and Risk of Predation for Dyspanopeus sayi (Decapoda: Xanthidae) Living on Polychaete (Filograna implexa,Serpulidae) Colonies*

Abstract. Along the Atlantic coast of the United States, the mud crab Dyspanopeus sayi frequently occurs in crevices and depressions within aggregated calcareous tubes (termed “heads”) of the serpulid polychaete Filograna implexa. In New Jersey, U.S.A., waters, crab number was significantly correlated with the logarithm of worm tube colony volume. Laboratory experiments suggested that crabs compete for shelter within worm colonies. Additional laboratory experiments indicated that colony occupancy greatly decreased the risk of predation by blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus), and field tethering experiments also demonstrated that colony occupancy significantly decreased predation risk. Thus, the consequence of holding space on worm tube heads is a greatly increased probability of survival.     

Characterising shelter preferences in captive juvenile Jasus edwardsii (Palinuridae)

Any attempt to enhance rock lobster production by increasing survival after settlement, or by ongrowing or outplanting young juveniles, requires knowledge of the shelter preferences of young juveniles. For juvenile Jasus edwardsii in the wild these are not well known. Information available suggests that juveniles up to c. 35 mm carapace length (CL) occupy shelters that generally conform closely to their body dimensions but that larger juveniles use shelters of more variable dimension, often much larger than their body size. We investigated mainly physical factors important in shelter choice by 15–59 mm CL (c. 2–24‐month‐old juveniles) in laboratory tank experiments. In overnight tests, all sizes of juvenile lobster chose to occupy holes (shelters with sides) over open horizontal gaps. Preference for open horizontal gaps versus horizontal crevices (where the height reduces from a maximum at the mouth to zero at the opposite end) was much less clear‐cut; choice varied according to lobster size. For the number of entrances into holes, there was evidence for an ontogenetic shift in preference, small lobsters preferring two openings over one, whereas those >30 mm CL (c. 9 months old) preferred one over two. For lobsters <40 mm CL, the hole size and gap size preferences revealed were generally consistent with the field evidence for J. edwardsii in that there was a close and proportional relationship between lobster size and shelter size; what differed was that the open gaps chosen in the tanks by the smallest lobsters (15–19 mm CL) were larger than the holes used in the tank experiments and 30–50% larger than those reportedly used in the field. For lobsters >40 mm CL, the holes and gaps chosen in the tanks were generally larger and more variable in size, as in the field.     

Mud crab ecology encourages site-specific approaches to fishery management

Little is known about the effects of mud crabs population patterns on their exploitation. We used complementary approaches (experimental, fisher-based) to investigate how small-scale variations in density, size and sex-ratio related to the ecology of S. serrata may impact fishing practices in New Caledonia. Crabs were measured/sexed across 9 stations in contrasted mangrove systems between 2007 and 2009. Stations were described and classified in different kinds of mangrove forests (coastal, riverine, and estuarine); vegetation cover was qualitatively described at station scale. Annual catch was used as an indicator of fishing pressure. Middle-scale environmental factors (oceanic influence, vegetation cover) had significant contributions to crab density (GLM, 84.8% of variance), crab size and sex-ratio (< 30%). While small-scale natural factors contributed significantly to population structure, current fishing levels had no impacts on mud crabs. The observed, ecologically-driven heterogeneity of crab resource has strong social implications in the Pacific area, where land tenure system and traditional access rights prevent most fishers from freely selecting their harvest zones. This offers a great opportunity to encourage site-specific management of mud crab fisheries.     

Boulders or urchins? Selecting seeding sites for juvenile Haliotis midae along the Namaqualand coast of South Africa

The extent to which the relationship between juvenile abalone Haliotis midae and sea urchins Parechinus angulosus is induced by their physical habitat along the Namaqualand coast of South Africa was investigated. Correlation analyses between the proportion of abalone utilising sea urchins for refuge and the proportion of habitat defined as exposed were computed from 28 experimental seeding sites in Port Nolloth on the north-west coast of South Africa. A highly significant positive correlation was found (r = 0.72, p < 0.05). It was concluded that, along the Namaqualand coast, under-boulder habitat was the most important factor determining the survival of juvenile abalone (size 12–26mm). Site selection should therefore be based on the suitability of the physical substratum to provide shelter for juvenile abalone along that coast.     

Variations in crab claw morphology and diet across contrasting inter‐tidal habitats

Crabs are important predators of inter‐tidal ecosystems, controlling the abundance and distribution of their prey populations. Often the same crab species occupies several habitats and, although their effects on prey have been quantified across habitats, crabs’ dietary and morphological responses to differing environmental influences have been overlooked. Here, we used the crabs Eriphia verrucosa and Pachygrapsus marmoratus as model species to examine differences in claw morphometry – size and wear – and diet between rocky shore and heterogeneous sand flat habitats. We predicted that, intra‐specifically, crabs from rocky shores would consume more hard‐shelled prey owing to their high availability and consequently, would display chelipeds with the following claw characteristics: a higher degree of claw damage, stronger musculature (higher propel height) and increased mechanical advantage (defined as the ratio of input lever length to output lever length) than crabs in the heterogeneous sand flat habitats. Sampling was performed in heterogeneous sand flat habitats and rocky shores of the Central Portuguese coast. For each crab species, carapace width, diet composition and several claw morphometric measures were recorded, revealing significant intra‐specific differences (using multivariate analysis) between shore types. We found that E. verrucosa and P. marmoratus consumed more hard prey on rocky shore than on sand flat habitats, which resulted in rocky shore crabs having more accentuated dentition wear and larger musculature than their sand flat habitat counterparts. We suggest that the strong response of crab claw morphometry to environmentally induced diet variations is an important mechanism in the successful adaptation of crab species to inhabit differing habitats. A major implication is that the impact of the same species on prey may vary largely with habitat type as a result of predation efficiency varying with claw condition.     

Population Dynamics of Pinnixa patagoniensis Rathbun, 1918 Brachyura: Pinnotheridae a Symbiotic Crab of Sergio mirim Thalassinidea: Callianassidae in Cassino Beach, Southern Brazil

Abstract. Pinnotherid crabs are typically found associated with many benthic invertebrates. On sandy beaches of southern Brazil, Pinnixa patagoniensis R athbun , 1918 inhabits burrows of the ghost shrimp Sergio mirim R odrigues , 1971. The population dynamics of this crab were studied from monthly samples taken between March 1989 and November 1991 near the Patos Lagoon outlet, southern Brazil ca. 32°13'S; 52°15'W. There was no correlation between the number and size of the crabs and the size of their respective hosts. Mean densities and incidence reached 3.1 indiv. opening^-1 range: 0 to 29 and 83.9%. respectively. Sex-ratios were not significantly different from 1:1 for the different size classes and sampling dates. Ovigerous females were found between October and March, showing an average fecundity of 1529 eggs per female. The annual recruitment pattern was bimodal, with a minor peak in summer and a fall peak that accounted for almost 70% of the population maintenance. Males and females both reached a maximum carapace width of 11.5 mm and had a life span of nearly two years as estimated from fitted von B ertalanffy growth curve parameters.     

Uca marionis Mud Volcanoes: A Unique Ichnological Tool from the Bay of Bengal Coast of India for Ready Assessment of Beach Stability

Formation of burrow-head mud volcanoes by the mud-loving amphibious crab Uca marionis (Alcock) selectively on the either sides of estuary mouths along the Bay of Bengal coast, eastern India, requires peculiar substratal and biological conditions where soft muddy bottom sediments of the coastal mudflats are covered by a thin blanket of relatively rigid beach sands that provide a false substrate stability. Shallow-seated mud layers, being within the substrate penetration power, allow opportunistic burrowing by the crab and consequent oozing out of internal mud slur to form conical heaps of mud resembling volcanic cones. Removal of this thin sand cover prompts very fast erosion of the bottom mud and consequent widening of the estuary mouth and rapid beach erosion. A thick and rigid sand cover restricts deeper burrowing by the crabs.

Uca marionis mud volcanoes, by virtue of limited power of vertical penetration down to required muddy substrate and requirement of special substrate conditions and geomorphic position along the coastal zone, are considered as unique ichnological tools that readily identify and precisely demarcate highly unstable or erosion-prone beach sectors, and thus help in planning, protection and execution of various coastal developmental programs. Wide zoogeographic distribution of Uca in tropical-subtropical sea coasts greatly enhances the application potential of this new ichnological tool. Fossilized biogenic mud volcanoes in post-Jurassic geologic records would ease taxonomic identification of the ancient trace producers and coastal marine palaeogeomorphic interpretations.     

Burrowing behaviour of the paddle crab Ovalipes catharus (White, 1843) (Brachyura: Portunidae)

The burrowing behaviour of Ovalipes catharus (White, 1843) is described and compared with that of some other burrowing crabs. O. catharus is a fast, back burrowing crab which makes temporary burrows in soft sand. The average time from initiation of burrowing to complete submergence was 6.5 s, there was no difference between males and females but burrowing time increased significantly with crab size. Similar morphological adaptations are required for burrowing and swimming: streamlined body shape, smooth lightly constructed exoskeleton, and flattened legs. O. catharus has a reversed respiratory current like O. guadulpensis but it differs in its burrowing behaviour. Compared to some other crabs, burrowing in O. catharus is rapid.     

"有序样品的Fisher聚类"对中华绒螯蟹渔获物的分析

为探讨河蟹生长特点以及渔获物与放养规格的关系，用有序样品的Fish聚类分析法首次对中华绒螯蟹的渔获物组成进行分析。结果显示，黄河三角洲广南水库沉砂池2000年河蟹渔获物可以分为3个群体，与其放养的3个不同规格群体相对应；据此推算了不同放养规格的回捕率；并对雌、雄生长和性成熟的差异以及合理的放养规格进行了探讨。     

Response of excised gill tissue from the New Zealand scallop Pecten novaezelandiae to suspended silt

The role of turbidity in scallop mortality was investigated for two size classes of Pecten novaezelandiae (70 ± 2 mm and 20 ± 1 mm shell height), by using the “crawl” velocity of excised pieces of gill tissue as an indicator of the response to suspended silt. The crawl velocity of 3 × 5 mm pieces of gill tissue was measured in six different silt concentrations (0.025, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3. 0.5% silt, by dry weight) and two size classes (< 10 μm and 10–30 um) of silt. Results of the study indicate that juvenile (20 mm shell height) scallops may be less tolerant of suspended silt than larger (70 mm shell height) scallops and that both size classes may be less tolerant of fine (< 10 μm) silt/clay sized particles than coarse (10–30 μm) particles. These conclusions are supported in part by data from the mortality of whole 20 mm scallops exposed to two size classes (< 10 μm and 10–30 μm) and three concentrations (0.05, 0.3, 0.6%, by dry weight) of silt. Increasing concentrations and decreasing particle size of the suspended silt resulted in reduced gill piece crawl velocity and an increase in the mortality rate of the whole scallops. These results suggest controls on human‐induced disturbance of bottom sediments, such as bottom trawling and dredging, may benefit any further scallop bed enhancement programmes by the avoidance of deterioration in water quality and mechanical damage to scallop spat.     

大治河河口无齿螳臂相手蟹生长和成熟的研究

无齿螳臂相手蟹是长江口潮间带和潮上带的优势种之一,具有重要的生态功能。为探求无齿螳臂相手蟹不同阶段的异速生长和成熟状况,于2009年10月至2010年9月期间采集样本,通过聚类和分段线性回归等分析方法对雌雄蟹头胸甲、螯、腹部等形态数据进行分析,建立区别不同生长阶段的判别函数并用逻辑斯蒂回归估计其50%形态成熟点。结果如下:雌雄蟹50%形态成熟点分别为头胸甲宽18.22mm和16.36mm。雄蟹的螯宽和雌蟹的腹宽均表现出明显的异速生长;根据相对生长率的不同,雄蟹异速生长可分为三个阶段,雌蟹分为2个阶段;不成熟的雄蟹异速生长拐点发生在壳宽11.78mm,不成熟和成熟雌蟹腹部在壳宽13.04～18.64mm范围内重叠。同时研究了50%的生理成熟大小,雌雄成熟大小分别为17.50mm,17.20mm。雄性形态成熟大小小于生理成熟大小,而雌性则相反。     

Settlement patterns,size and growth of puerulus and juvenile rock lobster Jasus lalandii at an oyster farm in Saldanha Bay,South Africa

Trends in the abundance, size and growth of newly settled pueruli and early juveniles of the rock lobster Jasus lalandii were determined from samples obtained from mesh bags used for oyster mariculture in Saldanha Bay, South Africa. Totals of 3 842 lobster pueruli and 10 158 juveniles were captured between August 2005 and June 2006, and distinct puerulus settlement events were identified in November and January. Juveniles also peaked during these months as well as in March. The size of newly settled pueruli increased significantly between October and March. The carapace length (CL) of pueruli and juveniles overlapped between 8.5 mm (smallest juvenile) and 10.4 mm (largest puerulus), and 50% of pueruli moulted into juveniles by 9.5–9.6 mm CL. There was a size progression in juveniles, with larger individuals in February and March reflecting an accumulation of juveniles from the earlier settlement events. The estimated growth increment from puerulus to first juvenile instar was 0.5–1.5 mm (4.9–16.1%), increasing to 1.4–2.5 mm (14.4–23.3%) for the second instar. Recruitment of J. lalandii pueruli occurred during periods when strong southerly winds prevailed, which results in a general offshore movement of surface waters along the West Coast and upwelling of cold nutrient-rich bottom waters. However, specific settlement events appeared to coincide with a change in wind direction, reduction in upwelling strength and increase in surface water temperatures, implying that larvae may take advantage of landward movements of surface waters during downwelling, or reversal of upwelling, to return them to shallow coastal waters.