[ad_1]
Researchers have discovered that green crabs in Canada invade Maine's waters and threaten the coastal ecosystem with aggressive behavior as they feed on clams and destroy native eelgrass.
According to Associated Pressinvasive green crabs are of the same species as crabs already found in Maine, but are noticeably "raucous and wilder" because they tend to give up their claws and prey aggressively. make.
"Every time I went to get one, they went to pick me up," said Louis Logan, a graduate student and researcher at the University of New England. AP.
In a study conducted by Markus Frederich, professor of marine science at the University of New England, researchers described how the genetically distinct green crab population traveled to Maine from Nova Scotia. As noted by Science liveThe crabs are about 13 centimeters long and consume soft-shelled crabs, mussels, clams and other creatures considered important for the state economy.
In general, green crabs are considered a threat to the above-mentioned marine animals, regardless of their docility. according to APThis is because creatures are capable of destroying eelgrass, which younger crabs and other sea creatures use as hiding places against predators. It is thought that the animals came to North America in the 19th century thanks to the ballast waters of European ships arriving on the mainland, with the new aggressive variant of crab that would have originated in Northern Europe and the most docile variant that would have originated. southern regions of the continent.
If they are edible, without problems, put them in the specialty menu. Makes an excellent marketing tactic to offer an "angry crab". If that's for sure, I would just order it to see if they have a different taste. https://t.co/Vojp62aH7i
– Dee Richards (@deerichards) September 21, 2018
Currently, Dr. Frederich believes that the ferocious Canadian green crabs that arrive in Maine represent only 2-3% of the population of the species. However, he warned that this figure should increase in the coming years.
"It will be a totally different ball game. It's just a question of when more crabs compete with Maine's green crabs. "
As Frederich is about to release the first results of his team in the coming months, further research will focus on the possible reasons why Canadian green crabs are so aggressive. Associated Press wrote. Researchers suspect that there are two likely theories: a gene that could influence animal behavior and the "hybrid force" factor, suggesting that the Canadian population will "soften" with new territory over time
[ad_2]
Source link
