Analysis of Competition Between Callinectes sapidus and Carcinus maenas,

Regarding the Quantity of Each Species

Lexi Pereira

2017-2018
 Abstract

The presence of green crabs (Carcinus maenas), an invasive species, in the Barnegat Bay is
having a perilous effect on our ecosystems. Due to the lack of predators, green crabs are
flourishing, while populations of other inhabitants of the region are declining. Blue crabs
(Callinectes sapidus) are one of the numerous species affected by the introduction of green
crabs. The relationship between blue and green crabs, in correlation to different quantities of
each, was determined by three parameters: the average centimeters moved per minute, average
seconds to obtain a piece of bunker fish, and the number of times blue and green crabs attacked
each other or their own species. To conduct the experiment, different combinations of blue and
green crabs, of similar sizes, were placed in the same container with a piece of bunker fish in
the middle. It was found that interspecific competition occurred between the blue crabs. The
blue crabs disregarded the green crabs’ presence and competed with each other. In every trial
that involved one or more green crabs, the green crab obtained the food and avoided conflict
with the blue crabs. The results showed that blue crabs do not promote a dominant characteristic
over green crabs while competing for resources.  
 Introduction

Blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) play a major role in our ecosystem and economy. In our
ecosystem, C. Sapidus are both predator and prey, making them a keystone species (Chesapeake
Bay Program). C. sapidus hold high importance in the United States recreational and
commercial fishing (Sea Grant Maryland, 2017). The survival rate of this species has began to
decline due to multiple threats (Chesapeake Bay Program). Competition between species such
as Green Crabs (Carcinus maenas) has become a contributing factor to the decline of this
species. C. maenas was introduced to the East Coast of the United States in the 19th century
carried on a ship that ported in Massachusetts. The species is not native to the East Coast;
therefore, making the C. maenas an invasive species ( E.F. Ricketts and J. Calvin, 1968). There
were no natural predators preventing the C. maenas from quickly populating, which created a
problem for the inferior inhabitants of the region. Although attempts have been made to control
the population of  C. maenas, the species will continue to threaten the survival of C. sapidus
(Maine Clammers Association).
The objective of this experiment is to analyze the aggressive behavior between C. maenas and
C. Sapidus in correlation to different quantities of a specific species, while competing for food.
Often in the wild crabs compete for resources necessary for survival, such as food and habitat.
Three parameters would be taken into account and analyzed. The average centimeters moved
per minute, average seconds it takes to obtain the piece of B. tyrannus, and the number of times
C. sapidus and C. maenas attacked each other or their own species.
If the behavior of Callinectes sapidus and Carcinus maenas were analyzed, when competing for
resources, while in groups of different quantities, then C. sapidus will promote a dominant
characteristic over C. maenas, because of competition in their natural habitat. C. sapidus will
move a greater amount of centimeters per minute, obtain the piece of B. tyrannus, and attack C.
maenas. Although, C. maenas often being nicknamed the “angry crab” will compete for the
survival of their species.
 Methods
 Gathered 3 Blue Crabs and 2 Green Crabs. Put Maryland Commercial Grade Crab trap at the end of dock to
collect blue crabs. Used fresh Bunker fish as bait. Obtained remaining Blue Crabs (Crab Shack, 74
Mantoloking Rd, Brick NJ 08753.) Obtained Green Crabs (Betty & Nick’s Bait and Tackle, 807 SW Central
Ave, Seaside Park, NJ 08752.)
 Once crabs were obtained, transported to school in large paper bag. Blue Crabs and Green Crabs separated.
 Kept small green crabs confined in the bait section of Maryland Grade Crab Trap and Blue crabs in the
larger portion of the trap. Placed trap submerged in large fish tank.
 Did not feed 24 hours prior to trials.
 Filled 26.5 liter plastic container with 7.6 liters of water using a 1 liter measuring cup. Spread landscaping
rocks out on bottom of container, creating a layer of rocks. Obtained water from Barnegat Bay. Measured
salinity using a refractometer. Depending on the salinity measured, added fresh water until salinity reached
15 ppt. Let water settle and measured temperature using a temperature probe, to make sure the temperature
was 21 degrees Celsius (room temperature).
 Placed measuring tape across the length of the container, to record centimeters moved.
 Cut 25 gram piece of Bunker Fish and placed in the center of the container. (Repeated for each trial)
 Placed crabs in the water in different groups. Each trial lasted until one of the crabs obtained the food; if no
crab obtained the food after 10 minutes then the trial was ended. The different groups were as follows: The
different groups were as follows: 1 blue crab vs. 1 green crab, 2 blue crabs vs. 1 green crab, 3 blue crabs vs.
2 green crabs, 1 blue crab, 2 blue crabs, 3 blue crabs, 1 green crab, and 2 green crabs. Each crab of relatively
the same size with a carapace width of ~100mm-110mm. Blue crabs should were placed at 0cms’ and Green
crabs were placed at 50cms’
 Recorded centimeters moved per minute, seconds it took for crab to obtain food, and whether any crab
attacked another crab. Let water settle and continued following trials until five trials were performed for
each of the eleven different groups.
 Objective

To determine whether C. sapidus promotes a dominant characteristic over C. maenas in

correlation to different quantities of a specific species, while competing for food.
 Discussion

The hypothesis, if the behavior of Callinectes sapidus and Carcinus maenas were analyzed,
when competing for resources, while in groups of different quantities, then C. sapidus will
promote a dominant characteristic over C. maenas, because of competition in their natural
habitat. C. sapidus will move a greater amount of centimeters per minute, obtain the piece of B.
tyrannus, and attack C. maenas. The data collected in the experiment proved this hypothesis
incorrect. It was observed that C. sapidus did not promote a dominant characteristic of C.
maenas. C. maenas obtained the food the fastest, in every trial involving C. maenas, moved a
greater amount of centimeters per minute, and avoided conflict with C. sapidus. It is likely
interspecific competition occurred here. Interspecific competition is when competition occurs
within a specific species, rather than with different species. It is the direct confrontation
between two organisms in a species, or order to compete for the survival of themselves rather
than a weaker organism (John Brennan, 2017). It was found that C. sapidus attacked their own
species, rather than C.maenas. This could be because the wanted to be the alpha. Cheetahs are
another example of a species that exhibits interspecies competition. In the wild cheetahs show
signs of avoidance of their own species, often choosing to withdraw from hunting activities or
hunt less while in the presence of their own species (Jamie Smith, 2012) The amount of
centimeters moved per minute was found to be much greater for C. maenas in every
combination. The most amounts of centimeters moved per minute were exhibited within group
10 when there was 1 C. maenas. The average centimeters moved per minute was 24.07, more
than double any other combination. This means that C. sapidus may demonstrate a slight
dominance over C. maenas, but not enough to prevent C. maenas from getting the food.
 Conclusion
It was observed that C. sapidus did not promote a dominant characteristic of C. maenas. C.
maenas obtained the food the fastest, in every trial involving C. maenas, moved a greater
amount of centimeters per minute, and avoided conflict with C. sapidus. The hypothesis was
proven incorrect, although these observations support that interspecific competition occurred
within the species of C. sapidus. During the trials C. sapidus disregarded C. maenas presence
and interacted with their own species. If I were to perform this experiment again, or add onto it
I would want to add another species of crabs into the trials, to observe how C. sapidus interact
while more distractions are introduced.
 Acknowledgements

I would like to express my gratitude towards Riley Nevil and Sadie Wolfarth, RAD members
for guiding me through the research process and helping me improve my experiment. In
addition, I would like to thank Dr. Wnek for assisting me during the process of my trials and
providing me with helpful insight. Also, the experiment was partly conducted in Dr. Wnek’s
classroom and the test subjects were kept in the large tanks of the classroom between trials. I
would like to acknowledge Mr. Kelsey’s guidance in the research process. Lastly, I greatly
appreciate the effort of my mother and father, Bonnie and Paul Pereira, for helping me obtain
crabs from different locations in Ocean County.
 Results

The relationship between C. sapidus and C. Maenas, in correlation to different quantities of

each, was determined by three parameters: the average centimeters moved per minute, average
seconds to obtain a piece of bunker fish, and the number of times blue and green crabs attacked
each other or their own species. Eleven different combinations of C. sapidus and C. Maenas
were observed during the experiment. The first parameter was the average centimeters moved
per minute moved. The following was recorded and displayed on chart ___. In group 1 C.
sapidus moved 2.73 cm/min and C. maenas moved 7.85 cm/min. In group 2 C. sapidus moved
2.43 cm/min and C. maenas moved 7.99 cm/min In group 3 C. sapidus moved 2.81 cm/min and
C. maenas moved 6.39 cm/min. In group 4 C. sapidus moved 2.07 cm/min and C. maenas
moved 6.39 cm/min. In group 5 C. sapidus moved 2.83 cm/min and C. maenas moved 5.78
cm/min. In group 6 C. sapidus moved 2.06 cm/min and C. maenas moved 5.52 cm/min. For
group 7 average C. sapidus moved 2.60 cm/min. For group 8 C. sapidus moved 4.20 cm/min.
For group 9 C. sapidus moved 3.93 cm/min. For group 10 C. maenas moved 24.07 cm/min. For
group 11 C. maenas moved 11.47 cm/min. The second parameter was average seconds to obtain
a piece of bunker fish. The following was recorded and displayed on chart___. In group 1 the
average time taken to obtain the piece of B. tyrannus was 267 seconds for C. maenas and N/A
for C. sapidus. In group 2 the average time taken to obtain the piece of B. tyrannus was 329
seconds for C. maenas and N/A for C. sapidus. In group 3 the average time taken to obtain the
piece of B. tyrannus was 232 seconds for C. maenas and N/A for C. sapidus. In group 4 the
average time taken to obtain the piece of B. tyrannus was 240 seconds for C. maenas and N/A
for C. sapidus. In group 5 the average time taken to obtain the piece of B. tyrannus was 240
seconds for C. maenas and N/A for C. sapidus. In group 6 the average time taken to obtain the
piece of B. tyrannus was 331 seconds for C. maenas and N/A for C. sapidus. In groups 7, 8, and
9 the piece of B. tyrannus was not obtained within the 10 minute trial period. In group 10 the
average time taken to obtain the piece of B. tyrannus was 324 seconds. In group 11 the average
time taken to obtain the piece of B. tyrannus was 493 seconds. The third parameter was the
number of times blue and green crabs attacked each other or their own species. The following
was recorded and displayed on cart___. The total amount of times C. maenas attacked C.
sapidus was 5 times. The total amount of times C. sapidus attacked C. maenas was 1 time. The
total amount of times C. sapidus attacked C. sapidus was 29 times. The amount of times C.
maenas attacked C. maenas was 0 times.
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