The Establishment of Blue Crab Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896 in the Lagoon Pogonitsa (Amvrakikos Gulf, Western Greece)

Abstract

The presence of the blue crab Callinectes sapidus has been recorded late in the 2000s in the lagoons of Amvrakikos Gulf. Ninety four individuals from Pogonitsa lagoon (Amvrakikos Gulf, Western Greece) have been observed and measured during August 2016. Based on biometric and biological features, these crabs were mature while most of the females were ovigenous in various eggs age since extrusion. The estimated ages of the animals and the fecundity were in agreement with those that are reported in native and/or in well-established regions of species. The population of the blue crab seems to be increasing and can be considered as established in Pogonitsa lagoon as well as in other lagoons of Gulf.

Keywords: Amvrakikos Gulf, Blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, Invasive species, Ionian Sea.

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