Morphometric Relationships of the Global Invader Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896 (Decapoda, Brachyura, Portunidae) from Papapouli Lagoon, NW Aegean Sea, Greece. with Notes on Its Ecological Preferences

Abstract

Callinectes sapidus is native to the Atlantic coasts of the Americas. In the Mediterranean, it appeared around 1949 and though that it is established in East Mediterranean waters, relevant studies are limited. The aim of the present study is to report quantitative and qualitative data on the blue crab’s biology and ecology in its non-native range, that are indispensable for management purposes. Papapouli Lagoon is in Thermaikos Gulf and is ecologically impacted by the blue crabs. Fyke nets with a 20 mm mesh opening were soaked for 12 to 14 h during each survey. Abiotic environmental parameters were obtained. The length–weight relationships were expressed by the equation W = aLb. The species’ ecological preferences at Papapouli Lagoon were assessed with PERMANOVA analysis, using the abiotic parameters as factors. Student’s t-tests were used to assess the differences between sexes. The sex ratio of the blue crab’s population was assessed by a Chi-square (χ2) analysis. The sex ratio was found to be 1.28:1, in favour of males. The most dominant group size of male blue crabs was the 61–70 mm of CL and 130–139 mm of CW. Also, the dominant size group of female blue crabs was 60–69 mm of CL and 120–129 mm CW. The maximum abundance of blue crabs was recorded at a salinity range from 24‰ to 25‰ and the water temperature range was from 26 to 28 °C.

Stock Assessment Using the LBB Method for Portunus trituberculatus Collected from the Yangtze Estuary in China

“…Crab samples were obtained using double bottom trawlers (150.5 × 96.5 m) in the Yangtze Estuary (31 • 25 N, 122 • 50 E) in November 2018, with a cod end (mesh size: 200 mm). All captured samples (n = 235) were taken to the laboratory for further analysis, including species identification [14] and a standard measurement of carapace width, defined as the distance between the tips of the posteriormost lateral spines, following Kampouris et al 2020 [15]. All specimens were identified to species of P. trituberculatus.…”

Long-term ecological trajectories of a disturbed Mediterranean coastal lagoon (Biguglia lagoon): Ecosystem-based approach and considering its resilience for conservation?

“…However, M. leidyi is not the only non-native species in the Biguglia lagoon, as its degraded status in the past probably favored the successful establishment of multiple invasive species in the lagoon. The recent first-time capture of egg-bearing females of the nonnative crab C. sapidus in 2021, since its first official record in 2014, is particularly concerning, as it is an indication of its establishment in the Biguglia lagoon, and this species is well known for being rapidly expanding in the Mediterranean and already becoming invasive in lagoon environments (Cilenti et al, 2015;Fuentes, 2019;Culurgioni, 2020;Kampouris et al, 2020;Taybi and Mabrouki, 2020;Kara and Chaoui, 2021;Mancinelli et al, 2021).…”

Biological Invasions in the Aegean Sea: Temporal Trends, Pathways, and Impacts

“…The blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, originally from West Atlantic, has been widely recorded in most European regional seas. In the Aegean Sea, it has become abundant in many estuaries, lagoons, and near-shore waters, especially in the northern coastline [92], and is commercially exploited and sold in fish markets [93]. It causes damage to farmed mussels, catch and fishing gear, as it can mutilate fish caught in traps and trammel nets and tear nets [92].…”