Overview
Comprehensive Description
The blue crab Callinectes similis is a decapod crustacean in the Portunidae family. It is a strong and agile swimmer powered by a pair of flat, oar shaped rear legs called swimmerets giving it freedom of motion to rapidly swim backwards, sideways, and sometimes forward (Barnes 1980). It is an offshore congener in the genus of Callinectes. The lesser blue crab has a smoother, more uniform granulated carapace when compared to C. ornatus and C. sapidus (Williams 1984). Adult males have a green carapace with irregular areas of iridescence at the base of the teeth. The swimming legs are mottled with white. The females are similar in color except that the inner surfaces of the chelae are more violet blue. The juveniles are not as brilliantly colored appearing olive-yellow to greenish. The length and curvature of the reproductive organs (gonopods) are distinctive in mature males for each of the Callinectes species (Gore 1977, Barnes 1980) See illustrations from Williams (1974) below.
- Barnes RD. 1980. Invertebrate Zoology. Saunders College/Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Philadelphia, PA pp. 725
- Bookhout CG and JD Costow, Jr. 1977. Larval development of Callinectes similis reared in the laboratory. Bulletin of Marine Science 27:704-728.
- British Towns and Villages Network. Available online.
- Das T and WB Stickle. 1993. Sensitivity of crabs Callinectes sapidus and C. similis and the gastropod Stramonita haemastoma to hypoxia and anoxia. Marine Ecology Progress Series 98:263-274.
- Gore RH 1977. Studies on decapod crustaceans from the Indian River region of Florida.A field character for the rapid identification of the swimming crabs Callinectes ornatus Ordway, 1963 and C. similis Williams, 1966 (Brachyura: Portunidae). Northeast Gulf Science 1:119-123.
- Guerin JL and WB Stickle. 1997. Effects of salinity on survival and bioenergetics of juvenile lesser blue crabs, Callinectes similis. Marine Biology 129:63-69.
- Hsueh PW, McClintock JB and TS Hopkins. 1992a. Comparative study of the diets of the blue crabs Callinectes similis and C. sapidus from a mud-bottom habitat in Mobile Bay, Alabama. Journal of Crustacean Biology 12:615-619.
- Hsueh PW, McClintock JB and TS Hopkins. 1992b. Factors affecting the population dynamics of the lesser blue crab (Callinectes similis Williams) in barrier island salt marsh habitats of the Gulf of Mexico. Journal of the Alabama Academy of Science 63:1-9.
- Hsueh PW McClintock JB and TS Hopkins. 1993. Population dynamics and life history characteristics of the blue crabs Callinectes similis and C. sapidus in bay environments of the northern Gulf of Mexico. Marine Ecology 14:239-257.
- Piller SC, Henry RP, Doeller JE and DW Kraus. 1995. A comparison of the gill physiology of two euryhaline crab species, Callinectes sapidus and Callinectes similis: energy production, transport-related enzymes and osmoregulation as a function of acclimation salinity. Journal of Experimental Biology 198:349-358.
- Williams AB. 1984. Shrimps, Lobsters, and Crabs of the Atlantic Coast of the Eastern United States, Maine to Florida. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D. C., pp 373-376.
© Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce
Trusted
Distribution
off Delaware Bay to Key West, Fla., northwestern Florida around Gulf of Mexico to off Campeche, Yucatan; also Isla de Providencia, Colombia; reported from northern Jamaica.
-
North-West Atlantic Ocean species (NWARMS)
http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=sourcedetails&id=2901
© WoRMS for SMEBD
Source:
World Register of Marine Species
Trusted
Gulf of Mexico, North West Atlantic
-
North-West Atlantic Ocean species (NWARMS)
http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=sourcedetails&id=2901
-
Felder, D.L. and D.K. Camp (eds.), Gulf of Mexico–Origins, Waters, and Biota. Biodiversity. Texas A&M Press, College Station, Texas.
http://www.marinespecies.org/porifera/porifera.php?p=sourcedetails&id=145245
© WoRMS for SMEBD
Source:
World Register of Marine Species
Trusted
Adult Callinectes similis occur in the oceanic littoral zone in salinities above 15ä at a depth of 100 meters along the eastern seaboard from Delaware Bay to Key West, Florida and southern coasts of the United States, to the Yucatan, Colombia and northern Jamaica (Williams 1984, Piller et al. 1995). They are widely distributed along the northern Gulf of Mexico in open bay habitats (Hsueh et al. 1992a). Juveniles are found in estuaries in these same regions. Juveniles of the lesser blue crab are common in seagrass beds in the Indian River Lagoon (Gore 1977).
- Barnes RD. 1980. Invertebrate Zoology. Saunders College/Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Philadelphia, PA pp. 725
- Bookhout CG and JD Costow, Jr. 1977. Larval development of Callinectes similis reared in the laboratory. Bulletin of Marine Science 27:704-728.
- British Towns and Villages Network. Available online.
- Das T and WB Stickle. 1993. Sensitivity of crabs Callinectes sapidus and C. similis and the gastropod Stramonita haemastoma to hypoxia and anoxia. Marine Ecology Progress Series 98:263-274.
- Gore RH 1977. Studies on decapod crustaceans from the Indian River region of Florida.A field character for the rapid identification of the swimming crabs Callinectes ornatus Ordway, 1963 and C. similis Williams, 1966 (Brachyura: Portunidae). Northeast Gulf Science 1:119-123.
- Guerin JL and WB Stickle. 1997. Effects of salinity on survival and bioenergetics of juvenile lesser blue crabs, Callinectes similis. Marine Biology 129:63-69.
- Hsueh PW, McClintock JB and TS Hopkins. 1992a. Comparative study of the diets of the blue crabs Callinectes similis and C. sapidus from a mud-bottom habitat in Mobile Bay, Alabama. Journal of Crustacean Biology 12:615-619.
- Hsueh PW, McClintock JB and TS Hopkins. 1992b. Factors affecting the population dynamics of the lesser blue crab (Callinectes similis Williams) in barrier island salt marsh habitats of the Gulf of Mexico. Journal of the Alabama Academy of Science 63:1-9.
- Hsueh PW McClintock JB and TS Hopkins. 1993. Population dynamics and life history characteristics of the blue crabs Callinectes similis and C. sapidus in bay environments of the northern Gulf of Mexico. Marine Ecology 14:239-257.
- Piller SC, Henry RP, Doeller JE and DW Kraus. 1995. A comparison of the gill physiology of two euryhaline crab species, Callinectes sapidus and Callinectes similis: energy production, transport-related enzymes and osmoregulation as a function of acclimation salinity. Journal of Experimental Biology 198:349-358.
- Williams AB. 1984. Shrimps, Lobsters, and Crabs of the Atlantic Coast of the Eastern United States, Maine to Florida. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D. C., pp 373-376.
© Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce
Trusted
Physical Description
Size
The Callinectes similis male grows to a maximum width of 122 mm and the female grows to a maximum width of 95 mm. A study of populations in Mobile Bay in the Mississippi Sound reported a larger female to male ratio (Hsueh et al. 1993).
- Barnes RD. 1980. Invertebrate Zoology. Saunders College/Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Philadelphia, PA pp. 725
- Bookhout CG and JD Costow, Jr. 1977. Larval development of Callinectes similis reared in the laboratory. Bulletin of Marine Science 27:704-728.
- British Towns and Villages Network. Available online.
- Das T and WB Stickle. 1993. Sensitivity of crabs Callinectes sapidus and C. similis and the gastropod Stramonita haemastoma to hypoxia and anoxia. Marine Ecology Progress Series 98:263-274.
- Gore RH 1977. Studies on decapod crustaceans from the Indian River region of Florida.A field character for the rapid identification of the swimming crabs Callinectes ornatus Ordway, 1963 and C. similis Williams, 1966 (Brachyura: Portunidae). Northeast Gulf Science 1:119-123.
- Guerin JL and WB Stickle. 1997. Effects of salinity on survival and bioenergetics of juvenile lesser blue crabs, Callinectes similis. Marine Biology 129:63-69.
- Hsueh PW, McClintock JB and TS Hopkins. 1992a. Comparative study of the diets of the blue crabs Callinectes similis and C. sapidus from a mud-bottom habitat in Mobile Bay, Alabama. Journal of Crustacean Biology 12:615-619.
- Hsueh PW, McClintock JB and TS Hopkins. 1992b. Factors affecting the population dynamics of the lesser blue crab (Callinectes similis Williams) in barrier island salt marsh habitats of the Gulf of Mexico. Journal of the Alabama Academy of Science 63:1-9.
- Hsueh PW McClintock JB and TS Hopkins. 1993. Population dynamics and life history characteristics of the blue crabs Callinectes similis and C. sapidus in bay environments of the northern Gulf of Mexico. Marine Ecology 14:239-257.
- Piller SC, Henry RP, Doeller JE and DW Kraus. 1995. A comparison of the gill physiology of two euryhaline crab species, Callinectes sapidus and Callinectes similis: energy production, transport-related enzymes and osmoregulation as a function of acclimation salinity. Journal of Experimental Biology 198:349-358.
- Williams AB. 1984. Shrimps, Lobsters, and Crabs of the Atlantic Coast of the Eastern United States, Maine to Florida. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D. C., pp 373-376.
© Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce
Trusted
Type Information
Paratype for Callinectes similis Williams, 1966
Catalog Number: USNM 113345
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Invertebrate Zoology
Sex/Stage: male;; female; ; juvenile;;
Preparation: Alcohol (Ethanol)
Collector(s): Tagatz & G. Frymire
Year Collected: 1962
Locality: Off Saint Johns River Jetties, Florida, United States, North Atlantic Ocean
Catalog Number: USNM 113345
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Invertebrate Zoology
Sex/Stage: male;; female; ; juvenile;;
Preparation: Alcohol (Ethanol)
Collector(s): Tagatz & G. Frymire
Year Collected: 1962
Locality: Off Saint Johns River Jetties, Florida, United States, North Atlantic Ocean
- Paratype:
© Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Invertebrate Zoology
Trusted
Paratype for Callinectes similis Williams, 1966
Catalog Number: USNM 113344
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Invertebrate Zoology
Preparation: Alcohol (Ethanol)
Collector(s): G. Frymire
Year Collected: 1962
Locality: Jacksonville Beach, 2-3 Mile Off Beach, Between Saint Johns River Jetties, Florida, United States, North Atlantic Ocean
Catalog Number: USNM 113344
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Invertebrate Zoology
Preparation: Alcohol (Ethanol)
Collector(s): G. Frymire
Year Collected: 1962
Locality: Jacksonville Beach, 2-3 Mile Off Beach, Between Saint Johns River Jetties, Florida, United States, North Atlantic Ocean
- Paratype:
© Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Invertebrate Zoology
Trusted
Paratype for Callinectes similis Williams, 1966
Catalog Number: USNM 113343
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Invertebrate Zoology
Sex/Stage: male; female;
Preparation: Alcohol (Ethanol)
Collector(s): G. Frymire
Year Collected: 1962
Locality: Jacksonville Beach, 2-3 Mile Off Beach, Between Saint Johns River Jetties, Florida, United States, North Atlantic Ocean
Catalog Number: USNM 113343
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Invertebrate Zoology
Sex/Stage: male; female;
Preparation: Alcohol (Ethanol)
Collector(s): G. Frymire
Year Collected: 1962
Locality: Jacksonville Beach, 2-3 Mile Off Beach, Between Saint Johns River Jetties, Florida, United States, North Atlantic Ocean
- Paratype:
© Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Invertebrate Zoology
Trusted
Allotype for Callinectes similis Williams, 1966
Catalog Number: USNM 113342
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Invertebrate Zoology
Sex/Stage: female;
Preparation: Alcohol (Ethanol)
Collector(s): G. Frymire
Year Collected: 1962
Locality: Jacksonville Beach, 2-3 Mile Off Beach, Between Saint Johns River Jetties, Florida, United States, North Atlantic Ocean
Catalog Number: USNM 113342
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Invertebrate Zoology
Sex/Stage: female;
Preparation: Alcohol (Ethanol)
Collector(s): G. Frymire
Year Collected: 1962
Locality: Jacksonville Beach, 2-3 Mile Off Beach, Between Saint Johns River Jetties, Florida, United States, North Atlantic Ocean
- Allotype:
© Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Invertebrate Zoology
Trusted
Holotype for Callinectes similis Williams, 1966
Catalog Number: USNM 113341
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Invertebrate Zoology
Sex/Stage: male;
Preparation: Alcohol (Ethanol)
Collector(s): G. Frymire
Year Collected: 1962
Locality: Jacksonville Beach, 2-3 Mile Off Beach, Between Saint Johns River Jetties, Florida, United States, North Atlantic Ocean
Catalog Number: USNM 113341
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Invertebrate Zoology
Sex/Stage: male;
Preparation: Alcohol (Ethanol)
Collector(s): G. Frymire
Year Collected: 1962
Locality: Jacksonville Beach, 2-3 Mile Off Beach, Between Saint Johns River Jetties, Florida, United States, North Atlantic Ocean
- Holotype:
© Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Invertebrate Zoology
Trusted
Look Alikes
It can be difficult to distinguish the juveniles, immature males, and adult females of C. ornatus from C. danae and C. similis (Williams 1984). C. ornatus is very similar to C. similis and the two were confused until the 1960's (Gore 1977).C. similis can be distinguished from C. ornatus by the pale translucent blue dactyls of the swimming legs and the propodi that are olive on the ends and banded with translucent blue mesially.
- Barnes RD. 1980. Invertebrate Zoology. Saunders College/Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Philadelphia, PA pp. 725
- Bookhout CG and JD Costow, Jr. 1977. Larval development of Callinectes similis reared in the laboratory. Bulletin of Marine Science 27:704-728.
- British Towns and Villages Network. Available online.
- Das T and WB Stickle. 1993. Sensitivity of crabs Callinectes sapidus and C. similis and the gastropod Stramonita haemastoma to hypoxia and anoxia. Marine Ecology Progress Series 98:263-274.
- Gore RH 1977. Studies on decapod crustaceans from the Indian River region of Florida.A field character for the rapid identification of the swimming crabs Callinectes ornatus Ordway, 1963 and C. similis Williams, 1966 (Brachyura: Portunidae). Northeast Gulf Science 1:119-123.
- Guerin JL and WB Stickle. 1997. Effects of salinity on survival and bioenergetics of juvenile lesser blue crabs, Callinectes similis. Marine Biology 129:63-69.
- Hsueh PW, McClintock JB and TS Hopkins. 1992a. Comparative study of the diets of the blue crabs Callinectes similis and C. sapidus from a mud-bottom habitat in Mobile Bay, Alabama. Journal of Crustacean Biology 12:615-619.
- Hsueh PW, McClintock JB and TS Hopkins. 1992b. Factors affecting the population dynamics of the lesser blue crab (Callinectes similis Williams) in barrier island salt marsh habitats of the Gulf of Mexico. Journal of the Alabama Academy of Science 63:1-9.
- Hsueh PW McClintock JB and TS Hopkins. 1993. Population dynamics and life history characteristics of the blue crabs Callinectes similis and C. sapidus in bay environments of the northern Gulf of Mexico. Marine Ecology 14:239-257.
- Piller SC, Henry RP, Doeller JE and DW Kraus. 1995. A comparison of the gill physiology of two euryhaline crab species, Callinectes sapidus and Callinectes similis: energy production, transport-related enzymes and osmoregulation as a function of acclimation salinity. Journal of Experimental Biology 198:349-358.
- Williams AB. 1984. Shrimps, Lobsters, and Crabs of the Atlantic Coast of the Eastern United States, Maine to Florida. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D. C., pp 373-376.
© Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce
Trusted
Ecology
Habitat
Depth range based on 885 specimens in 1 taxon.
Water temperature and chemistry ranges based on 219 samples.
Environmental ranges
Depth range (m): 0 - 368.5
Temperature range (°C): 9.928 - 25.874
Nitrate (umol/L): 0.289 - 30.025
Salinity (PPS): 32.616 - 36.224
Oxygen (ml/l): 2.714 - 5.180
Phosphate (umol/l): 0.100 - 1.647
Silicate (umol/l): 0.756 - 11.897
Graphical representation
Depth range (m): 0 - 368.5
Temperature range (°C): 9.928 - 25.874
Nitrate (umol/L): 0.289 - 30.025
Salinity (PPS): 32.616 - 36.224
Oxygen (ml/l): 2.714 - 5.180
Phosphate (umol/l): 0.100 - 1.647
Silicate (umol/l): 0.756 - 11.897
Note: this information has not been validated. Check this *note*. Your feedback is most welcome.
Water temperature and chemistry ranges based on 219 samples.
Environmental ranges
Depth range (m): 0 - 368.5
Temperature range (°C): 9.928 - 25.874
Nitrate (umol/L): 0.289 - 30.025
Salinity (PPS): 32.616 - 36.224
Oxygen (ml/l): 2.714 - 5.180
Phosphate (umol/l): 0.100 - 1.647
Silicate (umol/l): 0.756 - 11.897
Graphical representation
Depth range (m): 0 - 368.5
Temperature range (°C): 9.928 - 25.874
Nitrate (umol/L): 0.289 - 30.025
Salinity (PPS): 32.616 - 36.224
Oxygen (ml/l): 2.714 - 5.180
Phosphate (umol/l): 0.100 - 1.647
Silicate (umol/l): 0.756 - 11.897
Note: this information has not been validated. Check this *note*. Your feedback is most welcome.
Trusted
Trophic Strategy
Callinectes similis is an opportunistic predator feeding primarily on bivalves and other benthic macroinvertebrates crushing their prey with their claws. Stomach content studies also show that the lesser blue crab diet includes fish, crustaceans, squid, detritus, and plants (Hsueh et al. 1992a).
- Barnes RD. 1980. Invertebrate Zoology. Saunders College/Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Philadelphia, PA pp. 725
- Bookhout CG and JD Costow, Jr. 1977. Larval development of Callinectes similis reared in the laboratory. Bulletin of Marine Science 27:704-728.
- British Towns and Villages Network. Available online.
- Das T and WB Stickle. 1993. Sensitivity of crabs Callinectes sapidus and C. similis and the gastropod Stramonita haemastoma to hypoxia and anoxia. Marine Ecology Progress Series 98:263-274.
- Gore RH 1977. Studies on decapod crustaceans from the Indian River region of Florida.A field character for the rapid identification of the swimming crabs Callinectes ornatus Ordway, 1963 and C. similis Williams, 1966 (Brachyura: Portunidae). Northeast Gulf Science 1:119-123.
- Guerin JL and WB Stickle. 1997. Effects of salinity on survival and bioenergetics of juvenile lesser blue crabs, Callinectes similis. Marine Biology 129:63-69.
- Hsueh PW, McClintock JB and TS Hopkins. 1992a. Comparative study of the diets of the blue crabs Callinectes similis and C. sapidus from a mud-bottom habitat in Mobile Bay, Alabama. Journal of Crustacean Biology 12:615-619.
- Hsueh PW, McClintock JB and TS Hopkins. 1992b. Factors affecting the population dynamics of the lesser blue crab (Callinectes similis Williams) in barrier island salt marsh habitats of the Gulf of Mexico. Journal of the Alabama Academy of Science 63:1-9.
- Hsueh PW McClintock JB and TS Hopkins. 1993. Population dynamics and life history characteristics of the blue crabs Callinectes similis and C. sapidus in bay environments of the northern Gulf of Mexico. Marine Ecology 14:239-257.
- Piller SC, Henry RP, Doeller JE and DW Kraus. 1995. A comparison of the gill physiology of two euryhaline crab species, Callinectes sapidus and Callinectes similis: energy production, transport-related enzymes and osmoregulation as a function of acclimation salinity. Journal of Experimental Biology 198:349-358.
- Williams AB. 1984. Shrimps, Lobsters, and Crabs of the Atlantic Coast of the Eastern United States, Maine to Florida. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D. C., pp 373-376.
© Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce
Trusted
Associations
The lesser blue crab is usually associated with Callinectes sapidis where they compete for food and other resources (Williams 1984). Typically, adult C. similis inhibits higher-salinity waters ( ³15ä) than C. sapidis (Guerin and Stickle 1997). However, juvenile C. similis and C. sapidis overlap considerably in estuaries where they can find refuge and abundant food sources. Fishery:Because Callinectes ornatus occupies the same habitats as the commercial species, C. sapidus, it is impacted by the crab fishery along western Atlantic coast (Hsueh et al. 1992).
- Barnes RD. 1980. Invertebrate Zoology. Saunders College/Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Philadelphia, PA pp. 725
- Bookhout CG and JD Costow, Jr. 1977. Larval development of Callinectes similis reared in the laboratory. Bulletin of Marine Science 27:704-728.
- British Towns and Villages Network. Available online.
- Das T and WB Stickle. 1993. Sensitivity of crabs Callinectes sapidus and C. similis and the gastropod Stramonita haemastoma to hypoxia and anoxia. Marine Ecology Progress Series 98:263-274.
- Gore RH 1977. Studies on decapod crustaceans from the Indian River region of Florida.A field character for the rapid identification of the swimming crabs Callinectes ornatus Ordway, 1963 and C. similis Williams, 1966 (Brachyura: Portunidae). Northeast Gulf Science 1:119-123.
- Guerin JL and WB Stickle. 1997. Effects of salinity on survival and bioenergetics of juvenile lesser blue crabs, Callinectes similis. Marine Biology 129:63-69.
- Hsueh PW, McClintock JB and TS Hopkins. 1992a. Comparative study of the diets of the blue crabs Callinectes similis and C. sapidus from a mud-bottom habitat in Mobile Bay, Alabama. Journal of Crustacean Biology 12:615-619.
- Hsueh PW, McClintock JB and TS Hopkins. 1992b. Factors affecting the population dynamics of the lesser blue crab (Callinectes similis Williams) in barrier island salt marsh habitats of the Gulf of Mexico. Journal of the Alabama Academy of Science 63:1-9.
- Hsueh PW McClintock JB and TS Hopkins. 1993. Population dynamics and life history characteristics of the blue crabs Callinectes similis and C. sapidus in bay environments of the northern Gulf of Mexico. Marine Ecology 14:239-257.
- Piller SC, Henry RP, Doeller JE and DW Kraus. 1995. A comparison of the gill physiology of two euryhaline crab species, Callinectes sapidus and Callinectes similis: energy production, transport-related enzymes and osmoregulation as a function of acclimation salinity. Journal of Experimental Biology 198:349-358.
- Williams AB. 1984. Shrimps, Lobsters, and Crabs of the Atlantic Coast of the Eastern United States, Maine to Florida. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D. C., pp 373-376.
© Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce
Trusted
Population Biology
The lesser blue crab is common in marshes and estuaries. In the barrier reef marsh habitats of Mobile Bay, Alabama, Callinectes similis is reported to be the dominant crab in open bays (Hsueh et al. 1993).
- Barnes RD. 1980. Invertebrate Zoology. Saunders College/Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Philadelphia, PA pp. 725
- Bookhout CG and JD Costow, Jr. 1977. Larval development of Callinectes similis reared in the laboratory. Bulletin of Marine Science 27:704-728.
- British Towns and Villages Network. Available online.
- Das T and WB Stickle. 1993. Sensitivity of crabs Callinectes sapidus and C. similis and the gastropod Stramonita haemastoma to hypoxia and anoxia. Marine Ecology Progress Series 98:263-274.
- Gore RH 1977. Studies on decapod crustaceans from the Indian River region of Florida.A field character for the rapid identification of the swimming crabs Callinectes ornatus Ordway, 1963 and C. similis Williams, 1966 (Brachyura: Portunidae). Northeast Gulf Science 1:119-123.
- Guerin JL and WB Stickle. 1997. Effects of salinity on survival and bioenergetics of juvenile lesser blue crabs, Callinectes similis. Marine Biology 129:63-69.
- Hsueh PW, McClintock JB and TS Hopkins. 1992a. Comparative study of the diets of the blue crabs Callinectes similis and C. sapidus from a mud-bottom habitat in Mobile Bay, Alabama. Journal of Crustacean Biology 12:615-619.
- Hsueh PW, McClintock JB and TS Hopkins. 1992b. Factors affecting the population dynamics of the lesser blue crab (Callinectes similis Williams) in barrier island salt marsh habitats of the Gulf of Mexico. Journal of the Alabama Academy of Science 63:1-9.
- Hsueh PW McClintock JB and TS Hopkins. 1993. Population dynamics and life history characteristics of the blue crabs Callinectes similis and C. sapidus in bay environments of the northern Gulf of Mexico. Marine Ecology 14:239-257.
- Piller SC, Henry RP, Doeller JE and DW Kraus. 1995. A comparison of the gill physiology of two euryhaline crab species, Callinectes sapidus and Callinectes similis: energy production, transport-related enzymes and osmoregulation as a function of acclimation salinity. Journal of Experimental Biology 198:349-358.
- Williams AB. 1984. Shrimps, Lobsters, and Crabs of the Atlantic Coast of the Eastern United States, Maine to Florida. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D. C., pp 373-376.
© Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce
Trusted
Life History and Behavior
Reproduction
Callinectes similis has spring and fall spawning seasons (Williams 1984). The egg carrying females migrate to nearshore waters with higher salinities to release their larvae (Hsueh et al. 1993).
- Barnes RD. 1980. Invertebrate Zoology. Saunders College/Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Philadelphia, PA pp. 725
- Bookhout CG and JD Costow, Jr. 1977. Larval development of Callinectes similis reared in the laboratory. Bulletin of Marine Science 27:704-728.
- British Towns and Villages Network. Available online.
- Das T and WB Stickle. 1993. Sensitivity of crabs Callinectes sapidus and C. similis and the gastropod Stramonita haemastoma to hypoxia and anoxia. Marine Ecology Progress Series 98:263-274.
- Gore RH 1977. Studies on decapod crustaceans from the Indian River region of Florida.A field character for the rapid identification of the swimming crabs Callinectes ornatus Ordway, 1963 and C. similis Williams, 1966 (Brachyura: Portunidae). Northeast Gulf Science 1:119-123.
- Guerin JL and WB Stickle. 1997. Effects of salinity on survival and bioenergetics of juvenile lesser blue crabs, Callinectes similis. Marine Biology 129:63-69.
- Hsueh PW, McClintock JB and TS Hopkins. 1992a. Comparative study of the diets of the blue crabs Callinectes similis and C. sapidus from a mud-bottom habitat in Mobile Bay, Alabama. Journal of Crustacean Biology 12:615-619.
- Hsueh PW, McClintock JB and TS Hopkins. 1992b. Factors affecting the population dynamics of the lesser blue crab (Callinectes similis Williams) in barrier island salt marsh habitats of the Gulf of Mexico. Journal of the Alabama Academy of Science 63:1-9.
- Hsueh PW McClintock JB and TS Hopkins. 1993. Population dynamics and life history characteristics of the blue crabs Callinectes similis and C. sapidus in bay environments of the northern Gulf of Mexico. Marine Ecology 14:239-257.
- Piller SC, Henry RP, Doeller JE and DW Kraus. 1995. A comparison of the gill physiology of two euryhaline crab species, Callinectes sapidus and Callinectes similis: energy production, transport-related enzymes and osmoregulation as a function of acclimation salinity. Journal of Experimental Biology 198:349-358.
- Williams AB. 1984. Shrimps, Lobsters, and Crabs of the Atlantic Coast of the Eastern United States, Maine to Florida. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D. C., pp 373-376.
© Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce
Trusted
Growth
In Callinectes similis, there are generally 8 zoeal stages and 1 postlarval, or megalopal stage (Bookhout and Costlow 1977). Larval release usually occurs at high tide assuring larval abundance is at its peak during the ebbing tide. Crab larvae are advected offshore, and complete development in coastal shelf waters. The typical time for development through the 7 zoeal stages is between 30-50 days before metamorphosis to the megalopal stage. The megalop persists between 6-58 days. It is widely believed that the megalopal stage subsequently returns to the estuaries for settlement, and recruitment to adult populations (Barnes 1980, Hsueh et al. 1993).
- Barnes RD. 1980. Invertebrate Zoology. Saunders College/Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Philadelphia, PA pp. 725
- Bookhout CG and JD Costow, Jr. 1977. Larval development of Callinectes similis reared in the laboratory. Bulletin of Marine Science 27:704-728.
- British Towns and Villages Network. Available online.
- Das T and WB Stickle. 1993. Sensitivity of crabs Callinectes sapidus and C. similis and the gastropod Stramonita haemastoma to hypoxia and anoxia. Marine Ecology Progress Series 98:263-274.
- Gore RH 1977. Studies on decapod crustaceans from the Indian River region of Florida.A field character for the rapid identification of the swimming crabs Callinectes ornatus Ordway, 1963 and C. similis Williams, 1966 (Brachyura: Portunidae). Northeast Gulf Science 1:119-123.
- Guerin JL and WB Stickle. 1997. Effects of salinity on survival and bioenergetics of juvenile lesser blue crabs, Callinectes similis. Marine Biology 129:63-69.
- Hsueh PW, McClintock JB and TS Hopkins. 1992a. Comparative study of the diets of the blue crabs Callinectes similis and C. sapidus from a mud-bottom habitat in Mobile Bay, Alabama. Journal of Crustacean Biology 12:615-619.
- Hsueh PW, McClintock JB and TS Hopkins. 1992b. Factors affecting the population dynamics of the lesser blue crab (Callinectes similis Williams) in barrier island salt marsh habitats of the Gulf of Mexico. Journal of the Alabama Academy of Science 63:1-9.
- Hsueh PW McClintock JB and TS Hopkins. 1993. Population dynamics and life history characteristics of the blue crabs Callinectes similis and C. sapidus in bay environments of the northern Gulf of Mexico. Marine Ecology 14:239-257.
- Piller SC, Henry RP, Doeller JE and DW Kraus. 1995. A comparison of the gill physiology of two euryhaline crab species, Callinectes sapidus and Callinectes similis: energy production, transport-related enzymes and osmoregulation as a function of acclimation salinity. Journal of Experimental Biology 198:349-358.
- Williams AB. 1984. Shrimps, Lobsters, and Crabs of the Atlantic Coast of the Eastern United States, Maine to Florida. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D. C., pp 373-376.
© Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce
Trusted
Wikipedia
Callinectes similis
Callinectes similis, sometimes called the lesser blue crab[1] or dwarf crab,[2] is a species of blue crab described in 1966.
Contents |
Description
Callinectes similis is a good swimmer, and its last pereiopods are expanded to paddles with which it swims. Adult males may grow up to a width of 122 millimetres (4.8 in), while females may reach 95 mm (3.7 in).[3]
C. similis is most closely related to Callinectes danae,[4] a species also found in the Gulf of Mexico, but whose range extends as far south as Rio Grande do Sul,[5] and C. ornatus, a species found from North Carolina to Rio Grande do Sul.[6] C. similis is most easily separated from C. danae and C. ornatus by the form of the first and second pleopods in males.[7] It can be told apart from the more distantly related C. sapidus by the number of teeth on the front edge of the carapace, there being six in C. similis and only two in C. sapidus.[7]
Distribution
Callinectes similis is found in the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico from the United States to Colombia. It reaches its northern limit near Delaware Bay.[3] There has been considerable confusion between the various species of Callinectes, and it now appears that all individuals reported as C. danae and C. ornatus from the Gulf of Mexico (with the exception of parts of Florida) are actually C. similis.[7]
Ecology
C. similis lives in marshes and estuaries, being the dominant crab in open bays. The species is limited to salinities of at least 15‰, and temperature may also affect reproduction.[3]
The diet of C. similis consists of a variety of foodstuffs, including plants, fish, polychaetes, other crustaceans including Farfantepenaeus aztecus and Portunus gibbesii, molluscs such as Mulinia lateralis, and detritus.[2]
Spawning takes place in the spring and fall, with females returning to estuaries to release their eggs.[3] Ovigerous (egg-carrying) females carry an average of more than 250,000 eggs.[2]
Fishery
Although it is not usually targeted because of its relatively small size, C. similis is sometimes caught alongside C. sapidus.[3]
References
| External identifiers for Callinectes similis | |
|---|---|
| Encyclopedia of Life | 1037672 |
| ITIS | 98697 |
| NCBI | 53942 |
| WoRMS | 158055 |
- ^ a b "Callinectes similis". Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
- ^ a b c Sergio Chazaro-Olvera, Arturo Rocha-Ramirez & Ramiro Roman-Contreras (2000). "Observations on feeding, maturity and fecundity of Callinectes similis Williams, 1966, on the central continental shelf off Veracruz, Gulf of Mexico". Crustaceana 73 (3): 323–332. doi:10.1163/156854000504417.
- ^ a b c d e Melany P. Puglisi (October 1, 2008). "Callinectes similis". Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce.
- ^ Rafael Robles, Christoph D. Schubart, Jesús E. Conde, Carlos Carmona-Suárez, Fernando Alvarez, José L. Villalobos & Darryl L. Felder (2007). "Molecular phylogeny of the American Callinectes Stimpson, 1860 (Brachyura: Portunidae), based on two partial mitochondrial genes". Marine Biology 150: 1265–1274. doi:10.1007/s00227-006-0437-7.
- ^ M. M. Chacur & M. L. Negreiros-Fransozo (2001). "Spatial and seasonal distribution of Callinectes danae (Decapoda, Portunidae) in Ubatuba Bay, São Paulo, Brazil". Journal of Crustacean Biology 21: 414–425. doi:10.1651/0278-0372(2001)021[0414:SASDOC]2.0.CO;2.
- ^ Melany P. Puglisi (August 1, 2008). "Callinectes ornatus". Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce.
- ^ a b c Perry and Larsen (2004). "Guide to Shelf Invertebrates, Gulf of Mexico". Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission.
Source:
Wikipedia
Unreviewed
Disclaimer
EOL content is automatically assembled from many different content providers. As a result, from time to time you may find pages on EOL that are confusing.
To request an improvement, please leave a comment on the page. Thank you!
