The ecology of the mud crab (Scylla serrata): their colonisation of estuaries and role as scavengers in ecosystem processes

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Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Connolly, Rod
Other Supervisors
Pitt, Kylie
Year published
2008
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Show full item recordAbstract
Scylla serrata is a portunid crab which can attain a weight of over 2 kg and a carapace width exceeding 250 mm. It is distributed throughout the Indo-West Pacific extending down the east coast of Africa, and both the east and west coasts of Australia. In Australia it is commonly known as the mud crab because it occurs within muddy, mangrove-lined bays and estuaries. Mud crabs are generalist predators eating most small, slow moving animals which they can catch, but they are also vigorous scavengers. Being scavengers, they are readily caught in baited traps set by commercial and recreational fishers, and are the stock for these ...
View more >Scylla serrata is a portunid crab which can attain a weight of over 2 kg and a carapace width exceeding 250 mm. It is distributed throughout the Indo-West Pacific extending down the east coast of Africa, and both the east and west coasts of Australia. In Australia it is commonly known as the mud crab because it occurs within muddy, mangrove-lined bays and estuaries. Mud crabs are generalist predators eating most small, slow moving animals which they can catch, but they are also vigorous scavengers. Being scavengers, they are readily caught in baited traps set by commercial and recreational fishers, and are the stock for these popular fisheries. Female crabs spawn offshore and larvae spend a period in the plankton where they develop into postlarvae or megalopae...
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View more >Scylla serrata is a portunid crab which can attain a weight of over 2 kg and a carapace width exceeding 250 mm. It is distributed throughout the Indo-West Pacific extending down the east coast of Africa, and both the east and west coasts of Australia. In Australia it is commonly known as the mud crab because it occurs within muddy, mangrove-lined bays and estuaries. Mud crabs are generalist predators eating most small, slow moving animals which they can catch, but they are also vigorous scavengers. Being scavengers, they are readily caught in baited traps set by commercial and recreational fishers, and are the stock for these popular fisheries. Female crabs spawn offshore and larvae spend a period in the plankton where they develop into postlarvae or megalopae...
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Thesis Type
Thesis (PhD Doctorate)
Degree Program
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
School
School of Environment
Copyright Statement
The author owns the copyright in this thesis, unless stated otherwise.
Item Access Status
Public
Subject
mud crab
scylla serrata
colonisation of estuaries
estuaries
mud crab estuary colonisation
scavengers
Indo-West Pacific
Africa
Australia
mangrove habitat
estuary habitat
mud crab megalopae