Aspects of the population dynamics and biology of the stone crab (Menippe mercenaria) in Everglades and Biscayne National Parks as determined by trapping

Date Issued:: 1986
Summary:: Stone crabs (Menippe mercenaria) were trapped on a full moon from 6/79-6/80 throughout Everglades and Biscayne National Parks. Salinity, temperature, water clarity, principal fouling biota, and bottom type were recorded at each station in addition to number, carapace size, condition, and sex of crabs caught. Relative abundance, proportion of females, and number of juveniles were highest in Everglades National Park from Lostman's River northward. Juveniles were never found at most stations sampled in Florida Bay. The primary source of adult crabs in Florida Bay appears to be from the Gulf of Mexico.

Title:	Aspects of the population dynamics and biology of the stone crab (Menippe mercenaria) in Everglades and Biscayne National Parks as determined by trapping.	123 views
Name(s):	Bert, Theresa M. South Florida Research Center PALMM (Project)
Type of Resource:	text
Genre:	Technical Report
Issuance:	monographic
Date Issued:	1986
Publisher:	National Park Service, South Florida Research Center, Everglades National Park
Physical Form:	electronic resource
Extent:	77 pages,illustrations,28 cm.
Language(s):	English
Summary:	Stone crabs (Menippe mercenaria) were trapped on a full moon from 6/79-6/80 throughout Everglades and Biscayne National Parks. Salinity, temperature, water clarity, principal fouling biota, and bottom type were recorded at each station in addition to number, carapace size, condition, and sex of crabs caught. Relative abundance, proportion of females, and number of juveniles were highest in Everglades National Park from Lostman's River northward. Juveniles were never found at most stations sampled in Florida Bay. The primary source of adult crabs in Florida Bay appears to be from the Gulf of Mexico.
Summary:	Spatial and temporal variations in the distribution, abundance, size class frequency, sex ratio, and reproductive activity of stone crabs Menippe mercenaria was studied in south Florida coastal waters and existing knowledge of the species was synthesized. Abundance of juveniles and adults was highest and mean size was smallest from Lostman 's River northward. Abundance decreased and mean size increased with movement southward through Florida Bay. Juvenile distribution and abundance was directly related to abundance of adults and proportion of females in the trapped population. BNP resembled Florida Bay in number and size of adults and lack of juveniles.
Summary:	Temporal changes in abundance, sex ratio and size class frequency of adults were correlated to reproductive activity and water temperature and corresponded to commerical fishing season offshore, and in Florida Bay. Females bear eggs in summer and become sexually mature by age three. Molting occurs from fall through spring in females, increase in CW by 10 mm with each molt and can live to age seven. Males may molt year-round with a mean molt increment of 16 mm CW for crabs greater than 70 mm CW. Males undergo a greater mortality rate than females apparently due to their greater susceptibility to commercial fishing pressure.
Summary:	Study Period:June 1979-June 1980; Study Type:Quantitative; Biological Component:Xanthid Crab; Habitat:Mud, sand, shell, rock, coral; Gear Type:Crab Trap; Abiotic Parameters Measured:Salinity, water temp; Dominant Taxon/Taxa Studied:Menippe mercenaria.
Summary:	The report includes sections on seasonal distribution, sex ratio, size composition, growth and mortality, and reproduction (NRBIB).
Summary:	Abstract prepared by T.W. Schmidt, South Florida Research Center Everglades National Park.
Identifier:	56836370 (oclc), FI86199791 (IID), 1055047 (digitool), I 29.95:SFRC- Sudoc number (stock number), SER-91: (Southeast Regional Office, National Park Service) (stock number), NRBIB: BISC-3058 (NPS Natural Resources Bibliography Number) (stock number), PB86-199791/XAB NTIS Accession Number (stock number), fiu:28830 (fedora), AAA5946QF
Note(s):	T.M. Bert ... [et al.]. Bibliography: p. 32-41. Electronic reproduction. [Florida] : State University System of Florida, PALMM Project, 2004. (Everglades online collection) Mode of access: World Wide Web. System requirements: Internet connectivity; Web browser software; Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print PDF files. Electronically reproduced by Florida International University from a technical report held in the Green Library at Florida International University, Miami.
Subject(s):	Menippe mercenaria Crustacea -- Florida -- Everglades National Park Crustacea -- Florida -- Biscayne National Park Everglades -- 3090202
Persistent Link to This Record:	http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/tc/feol/FI86199791.pdf
Persistent Link to This Record:	http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/tc/feol/FI86199791.jpg
Use and Reproduction:	http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/
Host Institution:	FIU
Has Part:	(OCoLC))13732862
Is Part of Series:	Everglades online collection.
Is Part of Series:	Report (South Florida Research Center) ; SFRC-86/04.

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Aspects of the population dynamics and biology of the stone crab (Menippe mercenaria) in Everglades and Biscayne National Parks as determined by trapping.

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