Blue Crab

Type Description

" It was reported that C. sapidus can
reach a maximum size (carapace width (CW)) of 20.9 cm
in males and 20.4 cm in females (FAO, 2020)."

Habitat

"This species has been transported to Japanese and European
waters via ballast waters of vessels and appeared in the
Baltic, North, Mediterranean and Black Seas (Nehring,
2011).
fluenced by climate change (Nehring et al., 2008).
C. sapidus prefers the sandy and muddy habitats
(Hill et al., 1989) and the depths between 0 to 90 m
(Stasolla & Innocenti, 2014). This species exhibits a
migration pattern; after mating females migrate to areas
where salinity level is higher (Eggleston et al., 2015)."

Reproductive Information

Estuaries are major areas for C. sapidus populations (Türeli, 1999). Some environmental features including depth and salinity influence the population structure of C. sapidus in these areas (Jivoff et al., 2017). Adult individuals of C. sapidus generally mate in these areas then migrate to lower estuaries or offshore waters to spawn and hatch their eggs (Fitz & Wiegert, 1992). 

Lifecycle

Callinectes sapidus is a species found primarily in saltwater estuaries and coastal areas. The transition from egg to adult stage usually takes several weeks, but the exact process may vary depending on environmental conditions and individual development.

Nutrition Information

"C. sapidus mainly feeds on molluscs, arthropods, fishes and
polychaetes, whereas algae species are rarely consumed
(Belgrad & Griffen, 2016; Hines, 2003; Laughlin, 1982;
Reichmuth et al., 2009)"

General Impact Information

Callinectes sapidus can create effects in ecosystems by typically competing with and preying on other economically significant organisms. This species has the potential to negatively impact harvestable species and local ecosystems. Additionally, it may create predator pressure on local species, leading to changes in native ecosystems

General Management Information

General Pathway Information

Callinectes sapidus entered the Turkish shores through Lessepsian migration. Lessepsian migration refers to the event that occurred with the opening of the Suez Canal, allowing species from the Red Sea to migrate to the Mediterranean. During this migration event, Callinectes sapidus moved from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean, reaching the northern, western, and southern coasts of Turkey. The distribution of this species in Turkey is a result of this migration event.

Notes

References