blue crabs

The scientific name given to the blue crab was derived from Latin and Greek: Calli, beautiful; nectes, swimmer; and sapidus, savory. Thus, a literal transition might be the beautiful savory swimmer. The blue crab is an important and interesting species. The blue crab is a species whose life history involves a complex cycle of planktonic, nektonic, and benthic stages which occur throughout the marine environment in a variety of habitats. The blue crab is one …

…available from the Gulf of Mexico, although it has been estimated to reach a maximum age of 4 years in Florida and 7-8 years in Chesapeake Bay. Autotomy (voluntary breaking of appendages) and regeneration are common in blue crabs. One survey found that 19-25% of blue crabs were either missing or regenerating a limb. A functional appendage is formed by regeneration following the next molt, although three molts may be required for 100% limb regeneration. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **Bibliography**