The Influence of Bay versus Coastal Habitats on Development and Survival of Striped Shore Crab Larvae (Pachygrapsus crassipes Randall 1840)

Abstract

The striped shore crab, Pachygrapsus crassipes, Hves in both protected <br /><br />embayments and exposed nearshore coastal habitats and larvae may develop in <br /><br />either setting. This study compared survivorship and development of Pachygrap- <br /><br />sus crassipes zoeae brooded in two southern California embayments and an ex- <br /><br />posed coastal habitat and cultured in corresponding waters under laboratory con- <br /><br />ditions. Larvae cultured in nearshore coastal seawater experienced higher survi- <br /><br />vorship during zoeal development, exhibited a higher percentage of stage VI zoeae <br /><br />surviving to the post-larval megalopal stage, and yielded a larger percentage of <br /><br />viable megalopae than larvae reared in seawater collected from either San Diego <br /><br />Bay or Mission Bay. This study suggests that brood site and culture water source <br /><br />will influence P. crassipes ' rate of development and survivorship.