Length Increments during Terminal Molt of the Female Blue Crab, Callinectes sapidus, in Different Salinity Environments

Abstract

Field studies were conducted on female blue crabs,Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, to determine the relationship between environmental salinity and the increase in length associated with the terminal molt. Premolt crabs from one locality were retained in live cars through the mature molt in each of three different saline environments and analyzed for increase in length. No significant differences in percent increase in body size were found among the three groups of crabs studied.