| one publication added to basket [53329] | Settlement, growth and production of the shore crab, Carcinus maenas, on tidal flats in the Dutch Wadden Sea
Klein Breteler, W.C.M. (1976). Settlement, growth and production of the shore crab, Carcinus maenas, on tidal flats in the Dutch Wadden Sea, in: Klein Breteler, W.C.M. Oecologie van de strandkrab Carcinus maenas (L.) in de westelijke Waddenzee: een serie artikelen over de rol van strandkrabben in de voedselketens op het balgzand, met speciale aandacht voor de groei, produktie, migratie en bioënergetica tijdens het eerste levensjaar. pp. 354-376
In: Klein Breteler, W.C.M. (1976). Oecologie van de strandkrab Carcinus maenas (L.) in de westelijke Waddenzee: een serie artikelen over de rol van strandkrabben in de voedselketens op het balgzand, met speciale aandacht voor de groei, produktie, migratie en bioënergetica tijdens het eerste levensjaar. PhD Thesis. Rijksuniversiteit te Leiden: Leiden. 376 pp., more
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| Abstract |
The production of Carcinus maenas (L.) on a tidal flat area of 50 km² in the Dutch Wadden Sea has been estimated during 4 years. Brood of shore crabs appeared on the flats from the end of June till November. In muddy areas and also in the neighbourhood of mussel beds several brood waves were distinguished in most years. In sandy and moderately muddy areas only one brood wave occurred. The yearly variation in production was low. By far the highest production of 0-group crabs was recorded on mussel beds (11 g ash-free dry weight per m²). In muddy areas it was less (0.5 g per m²), and in sandy areas hardly any production took place (0.03 g per m²). Despite of the relatively small size of the area covered by mussel beds its contribution to the production of the total area was considerable. The production of crabs of the second and third brood wave was low when compared with the production of crabs of the first brood wave. During winter about 30% of the crabs of the first brood wave, and 2% of later settled crabs survived. In spring and early summer this generation disappeared nearly completely from the muddy flats, but the rest of the area was inhabited by I-group crabs till autumn. Production during the second year of life was nearly half the amount produced during the first year, and was most important on the sandy flats. Food consumption of 0- and I-group shore crabs amounted to about 5% of the yearly production of the benthic macrofauna present on the tidal flats. The influence of a prolonged recruitment on estimates of production, and the possible influence of migration, predation, and intraspecific interactions on mortality and growth within the area of study are discussed. |
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