Abstract:

This dataset includes data for the number of megalopae of 5 Brachyuran genra and 3 Brachyuran families collected at eight field sites Gulf of Mexico field sites in 2010 and 2011. This dataset also includes data funded under RFP II R2.x214.000:0003.

Suggested Citation:

Taylor, Caroline. 2015. Brachyuran Megalopal Samples Collected in the Northern Gulf of Mexico in 2010 and 2011. Distributed by: GRIIDC, Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/N7M32T6D

Publications:

Grey, E. K., Chiasson, S. C., Williams, H. G., Troeger, V. J., & Taylor, C. M. (2015). Evaluation of Blue Crab, Callinectes sapidus, Megalopal Settlement and Condition during the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. PLoS ONE, 10(8), e0135791. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0135791

Purpose:

The overall goal of this project is to create a predictive population model for Gulf of Mexico blue crabs and to assess the impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on blue crabs.

Data Parameters and Units:

Key: a numeric key to identify each entry. Keys for 2011 entries are marked as "2011-XX" Site: Name of sampling site. Samples were collected at 8 sites: Apalachicola, Chef, Dauphin, Galveston, Grand Isle, Ocean Springs, Pensacola, Rigolets. Sample Date: Each collector was deployed the previous day between 8:30 - 10:30 am and collected on the sample date between 8:30 - 10:30 am Rep: Up to 4 replicate collectors were deployed at each site. This field represents the replicate number (1-4). Pick Date: The date that the sample was processed (megalopae sorted and identified) in the lab Picker Initials: Initials of the researcher who processed each sample. Not consistently entered in the beginning of the project. Callinectes: Number of megalopae in the Callinectes (swimming crab) genus in the sample Uca: Number of megalopae in the Uca (fiddler crab) genus in the sample Xanthid: Number of megalopae in the Xanthid (mud crab) family in the sample Pinnixid: Number of megalopae in the Pinnotheridae (pea crab) family in the sample Libinia: Number of megalopae in the Libinia (spider crab) genus in the sample Menippe: Number of megalopae in the Menippe (stone crab) genus in the sample Ocypode: Number of megalopae in the Ocypode (ghost crab) genus in the sample Porcellanid: number of megalopae i nthe Porcellanidae (porcelain crab) family; 2010 values are marked "NA" as the lab was unaware of this type of megalopa at that time. Unknown: number of unknown megalopae in the sample Juvenile crabs: number of juvenile crabs in the sample. In 2010 we could not confidently distinguish between Libinia/Xanthids this data is suspect

Methods:

Collectors were placed in the water in an estuary and left for 24 hours. After 24 hours the collectors were placed in large buckets and rinsed with fresh water and soaked for 15 min. The bucket water was poured through a 500 micron sieve, and the contents collected in a jar. Ethanol was added as a preservative. The rinsing step was then repeated. Brachyuran (crab) megalopae settlement was monitored using the standard protocol outlined in Metcalf KS, van Montfrans J, Lipcius RN, Orth RJ (1995) Settlement indices for blue crab megalopae in the York River, Virginia: temporal relationships and statistical efficiency. Bulletin of marine science 57: 781–792.

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