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In nature, being tall and strong can make the difference between surviving and becoming someone else's dinner. For many species, the size and shape of their parents will determine their own shape from the beginning. But for baby blue crabs, a recent study published in Biological newsletter reports some interesting differences.
Researchers from Rutgers University found significant differences in the body structures of larval crab brothers and sisters and among larvae of different mothers in the wild. And unlike other crab species, the larval differences between blue crabs are not related to the size of their mothers. These differences can be very important because babies of different mothers can swim or feed more efficiently depending on their size and shape.
The researchers evaluated the offspring of 21 blue crabs, photographed the larvae and examined their defense spines, appendages for swimming, and their size and shape.
At the beginning of their lives, blue crab larvae look nothing like adult crabs that they might someday become.
"The early larval stages of crabs can be difficult to work in the lab, but these are key steps in life to study in order to understand blue crab populations, "says lead author Joseph Caracappa, PhD student. Rutgers Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory.
Blue crab fishing is extremely important for the eastern United States, especially for the states of New Jersey and Maryland. Because of their importance, scientists have been studying them for more than a century, but still do not know much about their beginnings. This new discovery of their differences in size and shape in early instars may provide important information on their ability to survive and support commercial and recreational fishing.
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By Connor Ertz, Earth.com Editor
Image credit: Joseph Caracappa / Rutgers University-New Brunswick
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