The Life Cycle of the Dungeness Crab

Dungeness channelizes argon typically between 2-3 years in mature before they reproduce. both(prenominal) reproduction and molting capacity diminishes with age. Because of their enormous popularity with diners, Dungeness shout out males are legal to harvest when they reach a size of 159-mm casing width at about 4 years of age (Higgins et al, 1997, 1431). Adult crabs cannibalize juvenile crabs and humanity harvesting causes survivorship of crabs to decline with increasing age and size. Higgins and battle of Hastings (1997) argue that "Intrinsic regulatory methods can cause fluctuations in population density [and] early investigations into the role of density dependence in the regulation of natural populations ignored age structures" (247).

With follow to Habitat, the Dungeness Crab plays a significant role in the provender chain as predator and prey in estuary and oceanic environments. Larvae are dispersed by currents and are prey to nemerteans (marine worms) that hunt down on the eggs. Pacific herring, sardines, rockfish, Chinook salmon, sturgeon, sharks, and skates also feast on juvenile Dungeness Crabs in addition to their mature counterparts.

Because of their estuary habitat, the Dungeness Crab enjoys a variety of seafood in its diet, including fish, shrimp, mollusks, and crustaceans. Adult crabs annihilate shrimp and bivalves and are eaten by harbor seals, sea lions, and humans. Habitats of the Dungeness Crab are typically threatened by "modifications to the shoreline from development, disruption of

Compile ordinances that help control shoreline development.

Banks, J., and P. Dinnel. Feb 2000. " firmness behavior of Dungeness Crab Megalopae in the presence of the Shore Crab." Crustaceana 73:223-234.

Promote regulatory limits on bulkheading.

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