Growth of Juvenile Stone Crabs, Menippe mercenaria, Reared in the Laboratory

In this study we determined the rate of growth of juvenile Florida stone crabs (Menippe mercenariaSay, 1818) reared in the laboratory. We monitored carapace width and intermolt duration through the first 12 juvenile molts. Because all experimental crabs had been reared from eggs in the laboratory, w...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of crustacean biology 2010-05, Vol.30 (2), p.336-338
Main Authors: Krimsky, Lisa S, Epifanio, Charles E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biology
carapace width
Crabs
Crustaceans
Decapoda
Ecological life histories
Fisheries
Florida stone crab
growth
Juvenile stages
juveniles
Marine
Marine ecology
Menippe
Menippe mercenaria
Metamorphosis
Short Communication
Wildlife ecology
Young animals
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Summary:In this study we determined the rate of growth of juvenile Florida stone crabs (Menippe mercenariaSay, 1818) reared in the laboratory. We monitored carapace width and intermolt duration through the first 12 juvenile molts. Because all experimental crabs had been reared from eggs in the laboratory, we knew the exact age and molt dates for each individual. Mean carapace width of 1st stage juveniles was 2.0 ± 0.2 mm. Juveniles reached the 13th juvenile stage (15.9 ± 2.1 mm) in a mean of 297.6 ± 32.7 d. The rate of growth in carapace width fit a linear model and was similar in pattern to that reported for juveniles of other brachyuran species.
ISSN:0278-0372
1937-240X
DOI:10.1651/09-3197.1