Holly-(UR) Feeling Kind of Crabby!

Last week I had mentioned my interest in testing salinity, temperature, and dissolved oxygen in the blog titled 'Just Testing the Waters'. The main goal of the research was to see if those 3 factors had any correlation with marine life an their sizing. I had no specific marine life in mind, but within the beginning of this week my professor sent a message about crabbing. With further discussion we have agreed to narrow down my research to crabs specifically. Now with my pervious testing examples listed above I am also testing to see if there is any correlation between invasive crabs as well as non- invasive crabs. An invasive species can be defined as "an introduced species that takes over habitat and poses a threat to native ecosystems. Invasive species can harm the local economy or human health" (2008, Science Dictionary). I am having some difficultly identifying native and non-native crab species to the central Florida region. I still need to do further research of both native and non- native crab species.

Native Florida crab species include:
1) Menippidae Menippe mercenaria, Also known as, Florida Stone Crab, (Florida Fish and Wildlife conservation commission).
2) A second species of Stone Crab can also be found in Florida, but I need to further research this species (Florida Fish and Wildlife conservation commission).
3) Portunidea Callinectes sapidus, Also known as, Blue Crab, (2020, FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture- Aquatic Species)

Menippidae Menippe mercenaria

Portunidea Callinectes sapidus

Aside from identification, I have found some information regarding the crab traps. For a Portunidea Callinectes sapidus in particular the maximum trap size can be 2 feet (ft) by 2ft and the mesh (outer layer of the trap) size must be 11.5 inches (inch) or larger. Additionally a total of 3, 2 3/8inch escape rings must be on the trap and a 3inch by 6inch degradable panel (Florida Fish and Wildlife conservation commission).

Portunidea Callinectes sapidus Crab Trap

Additionally, I do plan on going to the Dunlawton Bridge in Port Orange I had previously mentioned in my last post 'Just Testing the Waters'. I will also be placing a trap in the Spruce Creek Estuary, that way I can have varining sailinity results to compare. An estuary can be defined as a large river that contains both salt and fresh water that meets sea tide (Dictionary.com). I hypothesis that the Dunlawton Bridge will have a higher salinity concentration due to it being located so close to the ocean verus the Estuary becuase of the mixture of freshwater.

Things to take into consideration include:
1) Noise/ Dunlawton Bridge vibrations.
2) The near by Dunlawton Bridge restaurants.
3) Other fishers near by (both locations).
4) If the trap is removed from either location.
5) Tides.
6) Weather.

Sources:
(2008). Science Dictionary. http://www.webquest.hawaii.edu/kahihi/sciencedictionary/I/invasivespecies.php

Florida Fish and Wildlife conservation commission. https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/crustaceans/stone-crabs/

(2020). FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture- Aquatic Species. http://www.fao.org/fishery/species/2632/en 
http://www.fao.org/fishery/species/2632/en

Florida Fish and Wildlife conservation commission. https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/commercial/blue-crab/

Dictionary.com. https://www.dictionary.com/browse/estuary

(Menippidae Menippe mercenaria). https://animaldiversity.org/collections/contributors/jo_okeefe/stone_crab_100_5137/medium.jpg

(Portunidea Callinectes sapidus). https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/99/The_Childrens_Museum_of_Indianapolis_-_Atlantic_blue_crab.jpg