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Life History Analysis of the Juvenile Horseshoe Crab in Pleasant Bay, Cape Cod

¹ University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts
² Boston University Marine Program, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Massachusetts

Little is known about the early life history of the Atlantic horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus), and few studies have been done regarding its life history—specifically, first-year juvenile growth rate and mortality rate. Quadrat surveys were completed along transects perpendicular to the high-tide line in the intertidal zone of Pleasant Bay during low tide every semilunar period from mid-May through mid-August. The prosomal widths of the crabs were measured and recorded. The number of crabs found during the survey period increased, peaking in mid-July, indicating that peak spawning occurred in late June or early July. The spawning season for horseshoe crabs appears to have begun in mid to late March and appears to have ended in early August. The survey results also showed clear size differences between cohorts. An entire cohort was barely found during the survey, which suggests either impaired spawning or egg mortality due to weather conditions in late May. Growth and mortality rates declined with increasing juvenile crab size and age. This study provides information on the life history of juvenile horseshoe crabs, which can be useful in fisheries management and in the development of further life history studies of juvenile horseshoe crabs.

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Cierpich, S. B. Articles by Valiela, I. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Cierpich, S. B. Articles by Valiela, I.