The parasitic barnacle, Sacculina granifera Boschma, affecting the commercial sand crab, Portunus pelagicus (L.), in populations from two different environments in Queensland

Abstract. The parasitic barnacle, Sacculina granifera , changed the abdominal morphology of the host crab, Portunus pelagicus (L.). Three different shapes were recognizable with increase of the host size. Crabs carrying externae could be found throughout the year with higher percentages in the dry season (May-October) in the Gulf of Carpentaria and in warm months (October-March) in Moreton Bay. The parasite infested more males than females in the Gulf but both sexes of crabs equally in the Bay. Generally, the parasite matured when the host (always immature) reached the size of mature crabs. The smallest crab carrying an externa was 70 mm carapace width from the Gulf and 90 mm CW from the Bay. Overall, 6.6% of P, pelagicus were found with externae in the Bay, a subtropical area where crabs are heavily exploited by amateur and commercial fishermen. In comparison, only 1.2% of crabs were found with externae in the Gulf, a tropical area where no commercial fishery is targeted at this species.     

Morbid behaviour of the commercial sand crab, Portunus pelagicus (L.), parasitized by Sacculina granifera Boschma, 1973 (Cirripedia: Rhizocephala)

Abstract. The behaviour of crabs Portunus pelagicus infected with the rhizocephalan barnacle Sacculina granifera is examined and compared with that of normal uninfected crabs. With regard to alarm reactions, feeding and locomotion, the infected crabs behave as normal crabs. Their stance, defaecation and burying behaviour differ in that they must accommodate to the physical presence of a large body, the parasite, suspended between cephalothorax and abdomen. General body care is increased as a result of the increased epizoic fauna on the exoskeleton which develops when moulting ceases. Infected crabs with an externa resemble ovigerous females in terms of their moderate daylight activity and particularly the grooming care and attention given to the sac—a surrogate egg mass. Parasitized crabs excavate a depression and using the third walking legs (and often second and first as well) attend the externa as an ovigerous female attends her egg mass. The grooming of the externa is of equal periodicity to egg mass grooming behaviour, but is less prolonged at maximum intensity. Sac grooming behaviour begins 18 days after emergence of an externa and declines progressively if the externa is removed and the interna degenerates. In interactions with other crabs parasitized individuals initiate fewer and dominate fewer encounters than normal crabs of similar size and sex; and parasitized males, at least, are less active when with other crabs than when alone. It is concluded the parasite secretes a hormonal mimic which induces ovigerous behaviour which maximizes the survival of the parasite population.     

Effect of dietary supplementation of phospholipids and highly unsaturated fatty acids on reproductive performance and offspring quality of Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis (H. Milne-Edwards), female broodstock

This study was conducted to determine the optimum phospholipids: highly unsaturated fatty acids (PL/HUFA) ratio in maturation diets for female Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis broodstock. Five isolipidtic and isonitrogenous diets were formulated to contain different amounts of pork lard, fish oil and soy lecithin with resulting PL/HUFA levels (%dry weight) of 1.4/0.3 (Diet 1), 1.6/2.5 (Diet 2), 2.3/2.0 (Diet 3), 3.8/1.5 (Diet 4) and 5.1/0.8 (Diet 5). Diet 1 lacked supplemental fish oil and soy lecithin and served as the control. Each of the five formulated diets was fed to a total of 150 female crabs for a period of 7 months. All diet treatments were triplicated with 50 crabs stocked in a pond as a replicate. After 6 months, male crabs were introduced into the ponds where females were kept, mating, spawning and egg hatching (in seawater) occurred in the following month. The nutritional value of various formulated diets was assessed based on survival, gonadosomatic index (GSI), egg production per female, fecundity (eggs/g female weight) of the females fed those diets and egg and larval (newly hatched zoea I larvae) quality.Females fed Diet 1 had the lowest GSI, egg production per female and fecundity while no significant difference were found for survival, hepatosomatic index (HSI) and the percentage of female spawned among the diet treatments (P > 0.05). Although there were no significant differences in egg diameter, egg wet or dry weights among all treatments (P > 0.05), the highest and the second highest proportions of essential fatty acids (EFA), i.e. 20:5n-3 (EPA), 22:6n-3 (DHA) and HUFA were found in the eggs produced by the females fed Diet 3 and Diet 2, respectively. Statistical analysis showed that EPA, DHA and HUFA in eggs produced by females fed Diet 3 were significantly higher than those from the other treatments (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, zoea I larvae from crabs fed Diet 3 had significantly larger carapace length than those from the other four treatments (P < 0.05). The zoea I larvae from crabs fed Diet 2 and Diet 3 also showed generally better tolerance to starvation and osmotic shock.In conclusion, our results indicated that diet included levels of PL/HUFA around 1.6/2.5 or 2.3/2.0 (% dry weight) fed female E. sinensis broodstock supported increased fecundity and elevated level of HUFA in egg, which in turn resulted in improved overall quality of newly hatched larvae.     

Broodstock management and the potential to improve the exploitation of mangrove crabs, Scylla serrata (Forskål), through pond fattening in Ranong, Thailand

Abstract Mangrove crabs, Scylla serrata (Forskål), represent one of the main economic resources in the Ranong mangrove ecosystem on the Andaman Sea cost of southern Thailand. However, there is a serious problem of overfishing which has caused fishermen increasingly to sell undersized crabs to meet market demand and maintain their income levels. The crab population and fishing activities were studied to assess the scope for better management of the fishery, especially protection of female broodstock, and the feasibility of using young crabs for aquaculture. Berried crabs examined were always larger than 10·0cm (carapace width), with the great majority of females maturing in the size range 10·0–11·5cm. Gonosomatic index values peak in September, within a main egg carrying and spawning period from July to December. Protecting female crabs from fishing pressure during this season, plus limits on the harvesting of crabs less than 10cm, or using them for fattening in ponds, could lead to better utilization of this resource. Crab farming in Ranong is constrained by climatic factors, the presence of acid-sulphate soils and lack of technical knowledge among the local fishermen. An attempt initially to culture crabs from Ranong under more favourable conditions at Surat Thani showed limited success. Nonetheless, there is a considerable price differential between wild and pond-fattened crabs to encourage further interest in crab farming in Ranong.     

Growth and reproduction of the red frog crab, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ranina ranina</Emphasis> (Linnaeus, 1758), in the Andaman Sea off Thailand

ABSTRACT:   Studies were conducted on growth and reproduction of the red frog crab, Ranina ranina (Linnaeus, 1758), in the Andaman Sea off Thailand from 1998 to 1999. Samples were collected from Ko Similan, Ko Surin and Thai-Myanmar boundary waters by gill net. Results showed that the relationship between carapace length (CL) and body weight (BW) for males (CL, 5.84–14.10 cm) was BW = 0.2598 CL^3.0931, and for females (CL, 5.35–10.97 cm) was BW = 0.4280 CL^2.8656. Growth in each gender showed allometric growth. The average CL of males was significantly larger than that of females. Average male and female crab sizes in 1999 were smaller than in 1998. The spawning season was found to be from November to February; maturing male crabs were abundant from September to December. Average sizes of CL at first maturity for males and females were 7.44 and 7.22 cm, respectively. Fecundity ranges of ovigerous female crabs were 74 600–167 900 eggs with an average egg diameter of 0.62 mm. The monthly sex ratios (male : female) varied between 1:0.56 and 1:2.77.     

Prediction of timing of mating and egg extrusion in the coconut crab <Emphasis Type="Italic">Birgus latro</Emphasis> judged from female pleonal expansion

A temporal pattern of reproductive activities of biological resources is essential information for the implementation of specific seasonal closures. First we investigated the relationship between the female pleonal expansion and female reproductive condition (i.e., non-ovigerous, ovigerous, or with spermatophores) to clarify the morphological characteristics of female coconut crabs that were able to mate. Second, we mated females with males in captivity to examine the relationship between the degree of female pleonal expansion and mating success. The index of pleonal expansion (ratio of inter-tergite distances to thoracic length) was significantly different among female reproductive conditions; females with spermatophores just before egg extrusion had the most expanded pleon. In the mating trials, all females showing index values higher than 0.35 mated with males. These results indicate that the female pleonal expansion has a strong relation to reproductive activities of females and can be applied as a morphological criterion for selecting females being able to mate. Next, we investigated whether reproductive activities of female coconut crabs are related to the lunar cycle. The reproductive activities were synchronized with the lunar cycle, and most females mated and extruded eggs around the new moon phase. These results have considerable implications for resource management and aquaculture for this species.     

大亚湾黑棘鲷的摄食习性

为了解黑棘鲷(Acanthopagrus schlegeli)在大亚湾生态系统食物网结构中的地位和作用, 2018 年 3 月至 2019 年 1 月逐月在大亚湾采集黑棘鲷样本, 分析黑棘鲷的食性组成、摄食强度、生态位宽度以及食性随季节和体长变化的趋势。结果表明, 大亚湾黑棘鲷饵料生物组成主要包括藤壶、鱼类、贝类、蟹类、虾类、星虫类、头足类、 水生植物等 8 个类群, 相对重要性指数百分比(IRI%)表明藤壶是最重要的饵料类群(IRI%为 42.41%), 其次依次是鱼类、贝类、蟹类、虾类、星虫类、头足类和水生植物。大亚湾黑棘鲷全年均有摄食, 摄食强度随季节变化显著, 其中胃饱满指数以春、冬季较高, 夏、秋季较低; 而空胃率则以夏季显著高于其他季节。不同季节食性差异明显, 春季主要以藤壶为食, 夏季主要以鱼类为食, 秋季主要以贝类为食, 冬季则主要以藤壶和鱼类为食, 影响食性组成随着季节变化的主要因子为水温、食物资源的可获得性等; 黑棘鲷体长越长, 越倾向于摄食大个体饵料, 摄食强度也越大, 营养生态位宽度先宽后窄。本研究结果将为今后黑棘鲷的保护和人工养殖提供理论依据。     

Ghost fishing in the pot fishery for blue swimmer crabs Portunus pelagicus in Queensland,Australia

Blue swimmer crabs (Portunus pelagicus) are an economically important crab caught in baited traps throughout the Indo-west Pacific and Mediterranean. In Australia they are traditionally caught using rigid wire traps (≈pots) but there has been a recent increase in the use of collapsible pots constructed from polyethylene trawl mesh. Two experiments were conducted in Moreton Bay, Queensland, to determine the ghost fishing potential of lost crab pots on both target and bycatch species and to evaluate the differences between traditional and contemporary pot designs. A lost contemporary, collapsible trawl mesh pot will catch between 3 and 223 P. pelagicus per year after the bait has been exhausted, while a traditional wire mesh pot would catch 11–74 crabs per year. As most fishers now use the collapsible trawl mesh pots, ghost fishing mortality could be as high as 111,811–670,866 crabs per year. Bycatch retention was also higher in contemporary designs. Periods of strong winds appeared to increase the ghost fishing potential of lost pots. The use of escape gaps, larger mesh sizes and construction options that allow for the deterioration of entrance funnels to minimise ghost fishing are recommended to reduce environmental impacts.     

Effects of various levels of dietary protein on survival,molting frequency and growth of juvenile blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus)

An 18-week study was conducted to examine growth characteristics of the juvenile blue crab (Callinectes sapidus Rathbun) fed various levels of dietary protein. Hatchery raised individuals (157) of identical age (160 days) from the same gravid female were assigned to one of four dietary treatments: adult brine shrimp (Artemia salina Leach) and artificial pelleted diets containing crude protein levels of 23, 37, and 49%.Growth rate, measured as a function of mean weight and mean carapace width, indicated that brine shrimp-fed crabs were larger (P < 0.05) than crabs fed artificial pelleted diets. Also, blue crabs fed either 37 or 49% crude protein were larger than crabs fed the 23% crude protein diet. Molting frequency was greater in the brine shrimp-fed crabs than in those fed the artificial diets. No differences in growth were detected when comparing males vs. females fed the artificial diets. However, females demonstrated greater growth than males within the brine shrimp treatment. Protein concentration of freeze-dried whole blue crab carcasses was greater in brine shrimp-fed crabs than in crabs fed the artificial pelleted diets (P < 0.05).     

Histopathological and ecological aspects of Henneguya and Myxobolus (Myxosporea) infections in Acanthopagrus australis (Günther) (Pisces: Sparidae) from Moreton Bay, Australia

Abstract. Sporulated plasmodia of Henneguya sp. infected the gill filaments, interhemibranch septum, gut and other microhabitats of Acanthopagrus australis in Moreton Bay, southern Queensland, whereas Myxobolus sp. infected only the gut. There was usually no inflammatory response, but some plasmodia in the gill filaments were associated with a granulomatous, predominantly lymphoid, response that was not determined by either parasite maturity, or sex and size of fish or season. There was a microhabitat shift in branchial Henneguya infection from predominantly gill filament in juvenile bream to gill septum in older fish. The highest prevalences of Henneguya were in the southern part of Moreton Bay, but trends in seasonal infection and prevalences in relation to size and sex of fish were similar in the western and southern parts of the bay. This suggested a widespread distribution of the putative annelid alternate host in Moreton Bay, with highest densities in the southern part. Myxobolus infection was most prevalent in young male fish at the winter spawning grounds on eastern surf bars.     

Biochemical composition of pond-reared and lake-stocked Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis (H. Milne-Edwards) broodstock

The morphological characteristics, tissue indices, proximate and fatty acid compositions of hepatopancreas, gonad and muscle of pond‐reared (PR) and lake‐stocked (LS) Eriocheir sinensis broodstock were compared. Lake‐stocked crabs are characterized by a blue carapace, white abdomen, golden legs and yellow setae while PR crabs have a brown carapace, grey abdomen, black legs and similar yellow setae. The carapace length and width of PR crabs were significantly less than those of LS crabs of the same wet weight (WW). The results showed that the hepatosomatic index (HSI) of PR males was significantly higher, but the gonadosomatic index (GSI) was significantly lower for PR females when compared with LS individuals of the same sex. Regardless of their origin, the muscular index (MI) of males was higher than that of females. The hepatopancreas of LS crabs had higher protein levels and lower lipid levels compared with PR crabs. The results of proximate analysis of male gonads from two different sources were similar, while the protein level in the ovary of LS females was higher than that of PR females. The tissues of males had higher water content but lower lipid and protein levels compared with females regardless of their source. The LS crabs had higher highly unsaturated fatty acid (HUFA) levels than PR crabs in their gonad and hepatopancreas. In conclusion, our results suggest that the nutritional quality of LS crabs is better than that of PR crabs, the nutritional quality of males is poorer than that of females. The reproductive performance and larval quality of crabs from these two rearing systems should be further verified.     

Parasites and symbionts of wild mud crabs Scylla serrata (Forskal) of potential significance in aquaculture

A total of 130 wild mud crabs, Scylla serrata, from Moreton Bay, Queensland, were examined to determine if there were parasites or symbionts that could cause problems in aquaculture. Of 10 parasites and symbionts found, four were potential pathogens. The blood protozoan, Haematodinium sp. is similar to parasites that have killed crabs else-where. The ciliates, Epistylis sp. and Acineta sp., and the barnacle, Octolasmis cor. were common on the gills and may increase stress through respiratory distress. Both of the ciliates showed seasonality, with Epistylis sp. abundant in summer and Acineta sp. abundant in winter. Haematodinium sp. was present at low prevalence throughout the year. The prevalence of Octolasmis cor was significantly higher in female crabs than in males. Mean intensity was positively correlated with crab size for O. cor and for the metacestode of Polypocephalus sp. The prevalence of Epistylis sp. and the barnacle, Chelonibia patula, varied with the moult stage of the crab.     

Reproductive performance and offspring quality of Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis (H. Milne-Edwards) females fed an optimized formulated diet and the razor clam Sinonovacula constricta

After feeding female Eriocheir sinensis on an optimized formulated diet or fresh razor clam Sinonovacula constricta for 7 months, their reproductive performance and offspring quality were compared. To evaluate diet nutrient contents, the proximate, fatty acid and amino acid compositions of the formulated diet and the razor clam were analysed. The nutritional value of the diets was determined by assessing survival, gonadosomatic index (GSI) and hepatosomatic index (HSI) of female crabs from both diet treatments, together with the percentage of females that spawned, total egg production per female and fecundity (number of eggs g^?1 female wet weight). Furthermore, the quality of eggs and newly hatched larvae from the two dietary treatments were determined using the following parameters: egg diameter, wet weight and dry weight, hatchability, proximate and fatty acid profile of eggs, larval carapace length, resistant to starvation and osmotic shock, larval survival and development to the zoea II stage. Higher protein, phospholipids (PL) and amino acids (AA) contents were found in the razor clam while the formulated diet contains higher levels of ash, total lipid (TL) and 18:1n‐9, 18:2n‐6 and 22:6n‐3 fatty acids. Although female crabs fed the two different diets showed similar reproductive performances, newly hatched zoea I larvae produced by the crabs fed the formulated diet had significantly longer mean carapace length and shorter development time to the zoea II stage under identical culture condition (P<0.05). Moreover, dietary fatty acid appeared to have more significant effects on the fatty acid composition of the hepatopancreas than it did on mature ovaries or eggs. This suggests that the fatty acid profile of mature ovaries is indicative of the specific fatty acid required for ovarian development in E. sinensis. In conclusion, our results show that the optimized formulated diet developed in this laboratory can totally replace the razor clam, a broodstock food widely used in E. sinensis hatcheries in China. This encouraging result should facilitate more reliable hatchery production of this important aquaculture species.     

大通湖中华绒螯蟹1龄幼蟹形态指标及质量参数研究

中华绒螯蟹（Eriocheir sinensis）的苗种质量对养殖成功与否及产量具有十分重要的作用;形态参数是遗传和外界环境共同作用的结果,也是判定中华绒螯蟹品质的重要指标之一。为探究中华绒螯蟹1龄幼蟹形态特征及相关质量参数的关系, 选取湖南省大通湖1龄幼蟹275只,其中雌蟹141只、雄蟹134只,逐个测定头胸甲长、头胸甲宽、体高、体重等指标,称量体肉、腿肉、螯肉、肝胰腺等可食用部分的湿重和干重以及体壳、腿壳、螯壳等不可食用部分的湿重和干重,计算各基本形态指标的平均数、标准差及变异系数、各部位含水率及占总体重比例、肥满度等指标;使用独立样本T-检验比较雌雄差异,利用Pearson对各参数进行相关分析,并通过逐步回归法建立体重与形态指标回归模型。结果表明,不同性别中华绒螯蟹的头胸甲长、头胸甲宽、体高、肥满度均无显著差异（P>0.05）,雄性体重较雌性大（P<0.05）,其中雌蟹体重为（8.543±2.555）g,雄蟹体重为（9.304±2.977）g。雌蟹和雄蟹可食用部分含水率及其占总干重的比例均无显著差异（P>0.05）。1龄中华绒螯蟹的头胸甲长(X1)、头胸甲宽(X2)、体高(X3)与体重(Y)的最优多元线性回归方程为Y= -15.763 + 3.118X1 + 4.634X2 + 3.897X3（R2=0.926）,体重与头胸甲长、头胸甲宽、体高显著相关。本研究可为中华绒螯蟹养殖产量估算、品质鉴定提供参考。     

Spawning Characteristics of the South African Mudcrab Scylla serrata (Forskål) in Captivity

Scylla serrata is a potential aquaculture species in Southern Africa. Information about its reproductive biology is required as a prerequisite to establishing hatchery technology. Adult female S. serrata were caught in the Umlalazi estuary on the subtropical east coast of South Africa and kept in captivity to observe and record spawning characteristics. Data collected included crab size and mass, time in captivity prior to spawning, fecundity per batch, relative fecundity, individual egg mass and size, size of zoea 1 larvae, incubation time, and hatch success rate. Of the 119 crabs kept in captivity 83% spawned in the maturation system– most within 40 d of capture. The crabs were highly fecund (mean relative fecundity per batch = 10,655 ± 4,069 eggs/g female) and the majority of the batches hatched within 288 h (12 d) at 27 C. Spawning in captivity occurred throughout the year, with a peak in late winter/early spring. This differs slightly from records of ovarian maturity stages of the crabs in the wild. A pattern of synchronous spawning was recorded where the females were observed to extrude their eggs in groups, commonly within 3 d of one another, separated by long periods of inactivity, suggesting an exogenous spawning cue. A total of 1,374,488 zoea larvae were obtained per kg of female per month. This means that if sufficient mature females can be caught from the wild, these could be used for stocking hatchery operations. The crabs were easy to maintain, mature, and spawn in captivity. This will facilitate future domestication which will eventually reduce the need for wild caught broodstock. The spawning characteristics of South African 5. serrata At in well with those observed for the genus throughout its distribution implying that ecological and fisheries management could be similar.     

Estimation of terminal molting probability of snow crab <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chionoecetes opilio</Emphasis> using instar- and state-structured model in the waters off the Pacific coast of northern Japan

Terminal molting probability (TMP) of snow crab Chionoecetes opilio was estimated using instar- and state-structured model incorporating the terminal molt in the waters off the Pacific coast of northern Honshu, Japan. TMP is defined as the probability that terminal molt occurs within a year in an instar and is an important parameter for stock assessment. TMP was estimated from the model and the rate of terminal molted crabs (RTM) for instars, which means carapace widths over 30 mm. Carapace widths at RTM of 0.5 were 81 mm for males and 66 mm for females. TMP was estimated as 0.23 and 0.29 for these carapace widths, respectively. Carapace widths at TMP of 0.5 were 94 mm for males and 71 mm for females, and for these carapace widths 57% of male and 50% of female crabs were considered as old-shell which had survived 1 year or more from terminal molt. Changing the fishing or natural mortality by ±0.1, the maximum difference of TMP was less than 0.1 from default estimates.     

Size at sexual maturity and body size composition of mud crabs <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scylla</Emphasis> spp. caught in Don Sak,Bandon Bay,Gulf of Thailand

Size at sexual maturity and body size composition of mud crabs Scylla spp. were examined as the basis for settling a minimum landing size as a fishing regulation in Don Sak, Bandon Bay, Gulf of Thailand, which has suffered serious mangrove habitat degradation. Mud crabs were caught using baited traps and gill nets. Hooked metal rods were also used to lever the crabs out of their burrows inside the mangroves. Two mud crab species, S. paramamosain and S. olivacea, occur in the bay; S. paramamosain is the dominant species, accounting for 87% of the samples. The size at which 50% of the S. paramamosain females reached maturity (SM₅₀) was estimated as an external carapace width (ECW) of 112.0 mm based on the morphology of the abdomen. Allometric changes in the crushing chelae height to ECW ratio suggested that the SM₅₀ of S. paramamosain males occurred at 106.4 mm ECW. The body size composition revealed that mainly immature mud crabs were exploited in Don Sak. To maintain a sustainable fishery for mud crabs, fishing regulations—including a minimum landing size based on the SM₅₀ estimates—are essential, as is habitat restoration.     

Behavioural responses of red king crab to crab pots

High bycatch of female and sublegal sized male king crabs in the fishery is of concern to fishermen and management agencies; the efficiency of gear currently used in the fishery needs to be improved. This study examined behavioural responses of red king crabs to pots under laboratory conditions with time-lapse video. Crabs approached the pot from downstream, 82% of searches were confined to within 135 ° of the downstream direction, and 78.3% of crabs searched less than 90 ° before leaving or entering. The probability of entry success increased with the number of approaches. Crabs which failed to enter made an average of 2.6 approaches compared with 3.9 approaches for crabs which entered pots. The entry success rate was 8.1%. No significant differences in approach, search, and entry were found between ovigerous females, juvenile females, legal-sized males, and sublegal-sized males. Legal males (≥ 178 mm carapace width) had a significantly lower escape attempt rate and escape rate than sublegal males and females. Crabs depend on chemical cues during foraging, approaching, and searching. The current king crab pot is inefficient because crabs have difficulties in accessing the entrances and non-legal crabs have difficulties in escaping.     

The relationships between spawning horseshoe crabs and egg densities: Recommendations for the assessment of populations and habitat suitability

1. Horseshoe crab population sizes and trends have been previously studied using surveys of spawning adults and counts of eggs from surface (top 5 cm) and deep (20 cm) sediment samples. The correlations between surface and deep eggs were studied at two locations, Delaware Bay and Jamaica Bay, USA, and the correlations between egg densities and spawning counts were examined in Jamaica Bay.
2. There were significantly higher densities of eggs in deep sediments than in surface sediments. Only about 10% of the variability in surface egg density was explained by deep egg density. The numerical patterns between surface and deep eggs were similar between Delaware Bay and Jamaica Bay and across sampling dates.
3. Nearly 20% of the deep samples in the combined data from Delaware Bay and Jamaica Bay with an egg density of ≥100,000 m⁻² had zero surface eggs. Therefore, the use of surface eggs as an indicator of habitat suitability and spawning intensity may seriously underestimate the importance of a beach for spawning horseshoe crabs.
4. When paired with nearest survey date, Jamaica Bay spawning indices did not predict deep or surface egg densities. This may be related to a temporal mismatch between survey methods, the extreme overdispersion (patchiness) of the eggs, and/or the dynamics of egg distribution after exhumation.
5. Both egg density and spawning surveys can provide useful data on habitat suitability for horseshoe crabs and can offer excellent opportunities for student and citizen scientist engagement. More labour is required for egg surveys than spawning surveys because of the time required to sample, sort, and enumerate the eggs.

     

Laboratory-based reproduction success of ruffe, Gymnocephalus cernuus (L.), in brackish water is determined by maternal properties

Abstract – Body length, age, egg size, embryo salinity tolerance and length at hatching of the freshwater (salinity <0.1 ppt, Lake Peipsi) and brackish-water (salinity 2–6 ppt, Pärnu and Matsalu Bay) ruffe, Gymnocephalus cernuus (L.), were examined to reveal their reproductive success in moderate salinity. Eggs of females originating from brackish water were significantly larger than eggs of freshwater females. No correlation between egg size and female size and age was found in brackish-water populations. In the freshwater population there was a small negative correlation between egg size and female size, but no correlation with female age. Fertilisation by sperm of males of different origin (brackish water or freshwater) produced no significant differences at any critical developmental stage (fertilisation, gastrulation, hatching) in the development of eggs from brackish-water or freshwater females at 3.3, 5.5, 7.7 and 9.9 ppt salinity. Survival rates in different salinity depended only on female origin; embryonic salinity tolerance was higher in ruffe inhabiting brackish water. Obviously, embryo salinity tolerance in ruffe is determined by egg qualities.