Mating Behavior in the Spider Crab, <i>Chionoecetes opilio</i>

Watson, J. P.

doi:10.1139/f72-074

Cited by 43 publications

(42 citation statements)

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“…The position of intermediate size-classes (60-75 mm) on the factorial plane implies that these carapace widths were represented in similar proportions in all samples. From the growth model proposed by Watson (1969) for snow crabs, animals with carapace width around 75 mm correspond to immediate prerecruits (one molt before being recruited to the fishery). It follows that these prerecruits have a wide bathymetric distribution in shallow areas as well as on the fishing grounds at greater depths.…”

Section: Research Surveysmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…If the existence of spring recruitment and summer growth periods fits the belief of most authors about snow crab growth, the evidence for a second recruitment period remains unexplained. To explain the observed variations in the catch-per-unit-effort, Lamoureux assumed that prerecruits are able to molt twice a year instead of once, as proposed by Watson (1969). The first molt in winter would induce recruitment before the fishing season and the second molt in summer would induce autumn recruitment.…”

Section: Implications For Management Of the Stockmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Changes in Size Distribution of Snow Crabs (Chionoecetes opilio) in the Southwestern Gulf of St. Lawrence

Bouchard¹,

Brêthes²,

Desrosiers³

et al. 1986

J. Northw. Atl. Fish. Sci.

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Size distributions of the exploited snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio) population in the southwestern Gulf of St. Lawrence were obtained from commercial landings in New Brunswick ports during 1977-82. The unexploited part of the stock was sampled during research vessel surveys in 1980 and 1981. The size distributions were analyzed by factorial analysis of correspondence. The trend in mean size was negative from 1977 to 1981 and positive thereafter. The analysis identified two periods of recruitment to the standing stock within each year: the first at the beginning of summer and the second in late summer and autumn. Growth of the previouslyrecruited crabs occurred between these two periods. Analysis of research vessel data indicated that many prerecruits inhabited areas outside the usual fishing grounds. The hypothesis is proposed of recruitment by platoons, with a part being due possibly to migration of crabs from shallow unexploited areas to deeper water where the commercial fishery occurs.

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Section: Research Surveysmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Implications For Management Of the Stockmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in Size Distribution of Snow Crabs (Chionoecetes opilio) in the Southwestern Gulf of St. Lawrence

Bouchard¹,

Brêthes²,

Desrosiers³

et al. 1986

J. Northw. Atl. Fish. Sci.

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“…(4) Reproductive behaviors are complex. Males are polygamous and may guard females before (Watson 1972) and after (Sainte-Mane et al 1997) copulation. Pubescent females attract males by way of pheromones (Bouchard et al 1996) and, once molted, can copulate several times shortly before and after extruding their eggs with the same male (i.e.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multiple choice criteria and the dynamics of assortative mating during the first breeding season of female snow crab Chionoecetes opilio (Brachyura, Majidae)

Sainte‐Marie¹,

Urbani²,

Sévigny³

et al. 1999

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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Crab p a r s , consisting of a male grasping another crab (the graspee), were collected by divers during the first breeding season of female snow crab Chionoecetes opllio Different types of graspees were found and were ranked according to their reproductive value to the male. High-value graspees were pubescent females (close to their terminal matunty molt) and nulliparous females ljust molted and close to oviposition). Postn~olt prirmparous females (clean-soft shell and carrying eggs) also mated and were inseminated by males, but they were of less value than pubescent or nulliparous females as there was only a remote chance that the males' stored sperm would be used to fertilize the next egg clutch. Females copulated with up to 6 different males dunng their first breeding season. Another category of graspees including males and juvenile females provided the grasping male with no fecundity benefit. Pubescent females paired with males u p to 13 d before molting. Males grasping the high-value pubescent and nulliparous females were larger, had a harder shell, and were missing fewer limbs than the males grasping low-value primiparous females, other males or juvenile females and than the overall population of adult males on the mating grounds assessed by trawl. Size-assortative mating by male chela size and female carapace width occurred in the predominant pubescent pairs. Moreover, males with larger chelae were associated with pubescent females missing fewer limbs or having relatively narrower abdomens. Both traits may influence female survivorship and lifetime fecundity. The complex assortative mating pattern of snow crabs apparently denves from mate choice and male sexual competition in the context of prolonged attractiveness of pubescent females to males

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“…Copulation Copulation takes place during a period when adults at their 11th molting stage and just past ecdysis still have a soft carapace (Kon and Nanba, 1968a;Watson, 1970Watson, , 1972. Thus, the seminal receptacle of males that have attained their 10th molting stage contains no spermatozoa (Kon and Honma (1970a).…”

Section: Copulation Spawning and Incubationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Furthermore, their seminal receptacle always contains spermatozoa (Kon and Honma (1970a) so that copulation does not seem to be necessary for them. In fact, experimental feeding of sample adult females collected, indicated that no copulation took place once the fertilised eggs held in the pleopods were hatched (Kon, 1976;Watson, 1972 Copulatory and spawning behavior observed between the 10th and 11th molting stages indicate that the same individuals reared experimentally for five years produced normal, fertilised eggs until the fourth spawning even though they did not engage in copulation any more after the second spawning (Kobayashi, 1983). Paul (1982) who reared adult C. bairdi females, reported:…”

Section: Copulation Spawning and Incubationmentioning

confidence: 99%