Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A prediction come true: the green crab invades the Patagonian coast

  • Published:
Biological Invasions Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We report the finding of the European green crab on the Atlantic coast of Patagonia. A total of 61 specimens were found in Camarones bay (Chubut Province, Argentina) in November 2003 and January 2004. Carapace widths ranged between 39.9 and 71.4 mm for females, and 51.4 and 81.4 mm for males. All of the females were sexually mature, and most had already spawned. Size frequency distributions and temperature conditions in the area suggest that the species had been introduced at least 3–4 years before our finding (1999–2000). The analysis of surface seawater temperature in the native and non-native ranges of distribution of the species suggests that the crab would be able to colonize the eastern coast of South America from southern Brazil (29°S) to the mouth of the Magellan Strait (52°S). Possible areas of introduction to the region and vectors are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • DM Ashley KM Moore LC Hewitt (2003) ArticleTitleShips’ sea-chests: an overlooked transfer mechanism for non-indigenous marine species? Baseline, Marine Pollution Bulletin 46 1504–1515

    Google Scholar 

  • M Berrill (1982) ArticleTitleThe life cycle of the green crab Carcinus maenas at the northern end of its range Journal of Crustacean Biology 2 31–39

    Google Scholar 

  • GJ Broekhuysen (1936) ArticleTitleOn development, growth and distribution of Carcinides maenas (L.) Archives Neerlandaises de Zoologie 2 257–399

    Google Scholar 

  • JT Carlton AN Cohen (2003) ArticleTitleEpisodic global dispersal in shallow water marine organisms: the case history of the European shore crabs Carcinus maenas and C. aestuarii Journal of Biogeography 30 1809–1820 Occurrence Handle10.1111/j.1365-2699.2003.00962.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chrisitiansen ME (1969) Crustacea Decapoda Brachyura. In: Marine Invertebrates of Scandinavia, pp 49–51. Universitetsforlaget, Oslo

  • AN Cohen JT Carlton MC Fountain (1995) ArticleTitleIntroduction, dispersal and potential impacts of the green crab Carcinus maenas in San Francisco Bay, California Marine Biology 122 225–237

    Google Scholar 

  • JH Crothers (1967) ArticleTitleThe biology of the shore crab Carcinus maenas. 1. The background – anatomy, growth and life history Field Studies 2 407–434

    Google Scholar 

  • JH Crothers (1968) ArticleTitleThe biology of the shore crab Carcinus maenas. 2. The life of the adult crab Field Studies 2 279–614

    Google Scholar 

  • M Cuculescu D Hyde K Bowler (1998) ArticleTitleThermal tolerances of two species of marine crabs, Cancer pagurus and Carcinus maenas Journal of Thermal Biology 23 IssueID(2 107–110 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0306-4565(98)00008-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • J Forest H Gantes (1960) ArticleTitleSur une collection de Crustaces Decapodes marcheus du Maroc Bulletin of the Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle (Paris) Ser 2 IssueID32 346–358

    Google Scholar 

  • SW Fulton FE Grant (1900) ArticleTitleNote on the occurrence of the European crab, Carcinus maenas Leach, in Port Phillip Victorian Naturalist 17 147–148

    Google Scholar 

  • N Gardner S Kwa A Paturusi (1994) ArticleTitleFirst recording of the European shore crab, Carcinus maenas, in Tasmania Tasmanian Naturalist 116 26–28

    Google Scholar 

  • JB Geller EE Walton EG Grosholz GM Ruiz (1997) ArticleTitleCryptic invasions of the crab Carcinus detected by molecular phylogeography Molecular Ecology 6 901–906 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1365-294X.1997.00256.x Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2sXntVGlu7s%3D Occurrence Handle9348700

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • ED Grosholz GM Ruiz (1996) ArticleTitlePredicting the impact of introduced marine species: lessons from the multiple invasions of the european green crab Carcinus maenas Biological Conservation 78 59–66 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0006-3207(94)00018-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guerrero RA and Piola R (1997) Masas de agua en la Plataforma Continental. In: Boschi EE (ed) El Mar Argentino y sus Recursos Pesqueros, Vol 1: Antecedentes histéricos de las exploraciones en el mar y las características ambientales, pp 107–118. INIDEP

  • GS Jamieson ED Grosholtz DA Armstrong RW Elner (1998) ArticleTitlePotential ecological implications from the indtroduction of the European green crab, Carcinus maenas (Linneaus), to British Columbia, Canada, and Washington, USA Journal of Natural History 32 1587–1598

    Google Scholar 

  • Jamieson CS, Foreman MGG, Cherniawsky JY and Levings CD (2002) European green crab (Carcinus maenas) dispersal: the pacific experience. In: Paul AJ, Dawe EG, Elner R, Jamieson GS, Kruse GH, Otto RS, Sainte-Marie B, Shriley TC and Eoodby D (eds) Crabs in Cold Water Regions: Biology, Management and Economics. Proceedings of the Symposium Sea Crab 2001, pp 561–576. University of Alaska, Sea Grant College Program

  • WCM Klein-Breteler (1975a) ArticleTitleGrowth and molting of juvenile shore crabs, Carcinus maenas, in a natural population Netherlands Journal of Sea Research 9 86–99 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0077-7579(75)90024-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • WCM Klein-Breteler (1975b) ArticleTitleLaboratory experiments on the influence of environmental factors on the frequency of molting and the increase in size at molting of juvenile shore crabs, Carcinus maenas Netherlands Journal of Sea Research 9 100–120 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0077-7579(75)90025-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • WCM Klein-Breteler (1975c) ArticleTitleFood consumption, growth and energy metabolism of juvenile shore crabs, Carcinus maenas Netherlands Journal of Sea Research 9 255–272 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0077-7579(75)90002-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • WCM Klein-Breteler (1976a) ArticleTitleMigration of the shore crab, Carcinus maenas, in the Dutch Wadden Sea Netherlands Journal of Sea Research 10 338–353 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0077-7579(76)90010-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • WCM Klein-Breteler (1976b) ArticleTitleSettlement, growth and production of the shore crab, Carcinus maenas, on tidal flats in the Dutch Wadden Sea Netherlands Journal of Sea Research 10 354–376 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0077-7579(76)90011-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • PJ Le Roux GM Branch MAP Joska (1990) ArticleTitleOn the european distribution, diet and possible impact of the invasive european shore crab Carcinus maenas (L.) along the South African coast South African Journal of Marine Science 9 85–93

    Google Scholar 

  • PS McDonald GC Jensen DA Armstrong (2001) ArticleTitleThe competitive and predatory impacts of the non-indigenous crab Carcinus maenas L. on early benthic phase Dungeness crab Cancer magister Dana Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 258 39–54 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0022-0981(00)00344-0 Occurrence Handle11239624

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • T Monod (1956) ArticleTitleHippidea et Brachyura Ouest-Africains Mémoires. Institut Française d’Afrique Noire 45 1–674

    Google Scholar 

  • JH Orton (1963) ArticleTitleExperiments in the sea on the growth rates of some Crustacea Decapoda Journal of the Marine Biological Association, UK 20 673–689

    Google Scholar 

  • WC Walton C MacKinnon LF Rodriguez C Proctor GM Ruiz (2002) ArticleTitleEffect of an invasive crab upon a marine fishery: green crab, Carcinus maenas, predation upon a venerid clam, Katelysia scalarina in Tasmania (Australia) Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 272 171–189 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0022-0981(02)00127-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • AB Williams (1984) Shrimps, lobsters, and crabs of the Atlantic Coast of the eastern United States, Maine to Florida Smithsonian Institute Press Washington

    Google Scholar 

  • SB Yamada L Hauck (2001) ArticleTitleField identification of the European green crab species: Carcinus maenas and Carcinus aestuarii Journal of Shellfish Research 20 IssueID3 905–912

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratorio de Peces y Mariscos de Interés Comercial, Centro Nacional Patagónico, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Boulevard Brown s/n, (9120) Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina

    Fernando J. Hidalgo, Pedro J. Barón & José María (Lobo) Orensanz

Authors
  1. Fernando J. Hidalgo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Pedro J. Barón
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. José María (Lobo) Orensanz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Fernando J. Hidalgo.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hidalgo, F.J., Barón, P.J. & Orensanz, J.M.(. A prediction come true: the green crab invades the Patagonian coast. Biol Invasions 7, 547–552 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-004-5452-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-004-5452-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation