Temperature and Habitat Complexity Mediate Cannibalism in Red King Crab: Observations on Activity, Feeding, and Prey Defense Mechanisms

Allan W. Stoner; Michele L. Ottmar; Scott A. Haines

doi:10.2983/035.029.0401

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1 December 2010 Temperature and Habitat Complexity Mediate Cannibalism in Red King Crab: Observations on Activity, Feeding, and Prey Defense Mechanisms

Allan W. Stoner, Michele L. Ottmar, Scott A. Haines

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J. of Shellfish Research, 29(4):1005-1012 (2010). https://doi.org/10.2983/035.029.0401

Abstract

Laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate how water temperature mediates the cannibalistic relationship between age 0 and age 1 red king crab (RKC) (Paralithodes camtschaticus), and the role of habitat structure in providing refuge for prey. We also observed the activity levels of age 1 crabs under light and dark conditions, and predator avoidance behavior by the age 0 crabs. Age 1 crabs (15–20 mm in carapace length (CL)) were active 24 h/day, but motion was about 33% higher in light than in dark conditions, and increased in direct proportion with water temperature (2–10°C). Feeding rate was also directly related with temperature for age 1 crabs, which consumed 7% of body weight per day at 2°C, and 20% at 10°C. Both temperature and habitat complexity had significant effects on survival of age 0 RKC (CW, 2.2–2.6 mm) when exposed to age 1 crabs (CL, 17–19 mm), with no significant interaction. Survival diminished 31% in a linear relationship from 2–10°C, and was twice as high in a complex structural environment compared with bare sand habitat. Predator avoidance behavior by age 0 RKC improved from juvenile molt stage 2 to stage 4. Increasing water temperature may serve to increase mortality by cannibalism in RKC, both in aquaculture and in the field, but survival will increase substantially in structurally complex environments.

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Allan W. Stoner, Michele L. Ottmar and Scott A. Haines "Temperature and Habitat Complexity Mediate Cannibalism in Red King Crab: Observations on Activity, Feeding, and Prey Defense Mechanisms," Journal of Shellfish Research 29(4), (1 December 2010). https://doi.org/10.2983/035.029.0401

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