Download Asian shore crab, Hemigrapsus sanguineus Overview Overview

Asian shore crab, Hemigrapsus sanguineus
Overview
Short description of Hemigrapsus sanguineus, Asian shore crab
A small crab with a square carapace (shell) up to 4.5 cm, variable in colour from orange-brown to greenish-black. Three
distinct ‘teeth’ on each side of the carapace and banding on the walking legs are distinguishing features, as is a fleshy
bulb at the pincer base of larger males. The teeth on the carapace are more acute than those of H. takanoi a closely
related species.
Description of Hemigrapsus sanguineus, Asian shore crab status in GB
Author's name:
First recorded in South Wales and Herne Bay, Kent in spring 2014. Specimens have been reported from Jersey and
Guernsey since 2009.
Natalie Sweet & Jack Sewell
H a b i t a t s u m m a r y : Hemigrapsus sanguineus, Asian shore crab
Last updated:
August 3rd 2016
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The Asian shore crab inhabits estuarine and marine habitats and occurs within the intertidal or shallow subtidal zones. It is
typically found on more exposed rocky shores but also occurs in soft sediments under the shelter of rocks or shells,
artificial structures, mussel beds and oyster reefs.
Overview table
Environment:
Marine
Species status:
Non-Native
Native range:
Malesia, Kazan-retto, Nansei-shoto, Ogasawara-shoto, Russia Central, Russia East, Russia North,
Russia Northwest, Russia South
Functional
type:
Predator
Status in
England:
Non-Native
Status in
Scotland:
Non-Native
Status in
Wales:
Non-Native
Location of
first record:
Barry South Wales. In April and May 2014, specimens were found on the coast of South Wales (1
individual) and Kent (3 individuals)
Date of first
record:
2014
Invasion history: Hemigrapsus sanguineus, Asian shore crab
Origin
The Asian shore crab is native to the western Pacific Ocean from Russia along the Korean and Chinese coasts to Japan. It is
one of the most common crabs found intertidally along the Japanese shoreline.
First Record
The Asian shore crab was first recorded in the British Isles on the north-west coast of Guernsey in April 2000; since then
several more specimens have been positively identified on various shores in Guernsey and Jersey.
In April and May 2014, specimens were found on the coast of South Wales (1 individual) and Kent (3 individuals)
Pathway and Method
Asian shore crab larvae are thought to have been introduced to European waters through discharge of ships’ ballast
water. The Asian shore crab has since extended its range through natural larval dispersal by water currents. It is unclear
how it reached the Channel Islands, but given the proximity of the abundant populations on the French coast, natural larval
dispersal, hull fouling and association with oyster transportation are possibilities. Pathway to GB mainland is unclear.
natural dispersal to South Wales from known populations is unlikely.
Species Status
Since initial reports of the Asian shore crab in New Jersey in 1988, its spread has been rapid along the east coast of the
USA, covering over 1500 km from North Carolina to Maine. Asian shore crab densities in rocky intertidal habitats are now
extremely high and usually exceed those of the previously dominant green crab Carcinus maenas. In France the Asian
shore crab was first recorded in 1994 at La Rochelle, and is now present along an 1100 km stretch of the Atlantic coast
from France to Germany, occurring abundantly in many areas. Given the Asian shore crab’s relatively long planktonic
larval phase; tolerance of a wide range of temperature and salinity; previous successful establishments in regions where it
has been introduced and recent occurrence in the Channel Islands, its arrival in Great Britain had been anticipated.
Ecology & Habitat: Hemigrapsus sanguineus, Asian shore crab
Dispersal Mechanisms
Asian shore crab larvae spend between 16 and 55 days in the water column before developing into juvenile crabs, during
which time they may be transported considerable distances by currents. Larvae may also be transported in ships’ ballast
water, being released into harbours or bays.
Reproduction
Females typically copulate several times during the mating season and can store sperm to fertilize more than one brood.
They can produce up to 50,000 eggs several times during the spawning season and produce two broods within 40 days.
Once hatched larvae are planktonic for up to one month, and growth and maturation are rapid, with juveniles reaching a
mean carapace width of 20 mm within two years. The reproductive period may be longer than that of native crabs, and
this combined with such high fecundity may contribute to the species’ invasive success.
Known Predators/Herbivores
Little is known about the Asian shore crab’s role as prey for native species, but it is likely that potential predators would
include certain fishes, shore birds and other crabs.
Resistant Stages
None known.
Habitat Occupied in GB
Limited records from rock pools on the lower shore in Guernsey and Jersey since 2009. Specimens have been found in
mid-upper shore rocky substrates similar to those already occupied on the European continent. Suitable habitats are,
widespread throughout GB coastal waters.
Distribution: Hemigrapsus sanguineus, Asian shore crab
Native to the western Pacific Ocean from Russia along the Korean and Chinese coasts and Japanese archipelago. In GB,
individuals have been recorded in South Wales and Kent (England). The species has been found in Guernsey and Jersey
since 2009.
I m p a c t s : Hemigrapsus sanguineus, Asian shore crab
Environmental Impact
Significant reductions in common shore crab abundance and mussel density have been reported where the Asian shore
crab has achieved high densities in mainland Europe, and similar effects across the broader community may be expected.
Common shore crab is also reported to have been displaced by the Asian shore crab in rocky shore habitats in several
places in North America, including New England and New Jersey. Recruits and juveniles of other invertebrates including
snails, barnacles and polychaetes may also be threatened due to increased predation.
Health and Scoial Impact
None known.
Economic Impact
It has been suggested that Asian shore crabs could pose a threat to mussel and oyster growing operations. Potential
competition with species of economic value which spend their juvenile phase in the intertidal zone, including the edible
crab Cancer pagurus may also present a concern.
References & Links: Hemigrapsus sanguineus, Asian shore crab
Identification
Global Invasive Species Database. (2006) Factsheet for Hemigrapsus sanguineus. Available from:
http:www.issg.orgdatabasespeciesecology.asp?si=756&fr=1&sts=&lang=EN
Biology, ecology, spread, vectors
Anderson, J.A., & Epifanio, C.E. (2010) Mating and sperm storage of the Asian shore crab Hemigrapsus sanguineus. Journal
of Shellfish Research, 2 9, ( 2 ) , 4 9 7 - 5 0 1 .
Breton, G., Faasse, M., Noel, P. & Vincent, T. (2002) A new alien crab in Europe: Hemigrapsus sanguineus (Decapoda:
Brachyura: Grapsidae). Journal of Crustacean Biology, 2 2, ( 1 ) , 1 8 4 - 1 8 9 .
Dauvin, J.-C. (2009) Establishment of the invasive Asian shore crab Hemigrapsus sanguineus (De Haan, 1835)
(Crustacea:Brachyura:Grapsoidea) from the Cotentin Peninsular, Normandy, France. Aquatic Invasions, 4, ( 3 ) , 4 6 7 - 4 7 2 .
Dauvin, J.-C., Tous Rius, A., & Ruellet, T. (2009) Recent expansion of two invasive crab species Hemigrapsus sanguineus
(de Haan, 1835) and H. takanoi Asakura and Watanabe 2005 along the Opal Coast, France. Aquatic Invasions, 4 , ( 3 ) ,
451-465.
Lord, R. (2010) Asian shore crab, Hemigrapsus sanguineus, reaches shores of Channel Islands. Sustainable Guernsey
[online]. Available from:
http:www.sustainableguernsey.infoblog201004asian-shore-crab-hemigrapsus-sanguineus-reaches-shores-of-channel-islands
Micu, D., Nita, V. & Todorova, V. (2010) First record of the Japanese shore crab Hemigrapsus sanguineus (de Haan, 1835)
(Brachyura: Grapsoidea: Varunidae) from the Black Sea. Aquatic Invasions, 5 , S u p p l e m e n t 1 , S 1 - S 4 .
Management and impact
Jensen, G.C., McDonald, P.S., & Armstrong, D.A. (2002) East meets west: competitive interactions between green crab
Carcinus maenus, and native and introduced shore crab Hemigrapsus spp. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 2 2 5, 2 5 1 - 2 6 2 .
General
Anderson, J.A., & Epifanio, C.E. (2010) Mating and sperm storage of the Asian shore crab Hemigrapsus sanguineus. Journal
of Shellfish Research, 2 9, ( 2 ) , 4 9 7 - 5 0 1 .
DAISIE European Invasive Alien Species Gateway (2006) Hemigrapsus sanguineus. Available from:
http:www.issg.orgdatabasespeciesecology.asp?si=756&fr=1&sts=&lang=EN
Micu, D., Nita, V. & Todorova, V. (2010) First record of the Japanese shore crab Hemigrapsus sanguineus (de Haan, 1835)
(Brachyura: Grapsoidea: Varunidae) from the Black Sea. Aquatic Invasions, 5 , S u p p l e m e n t 1 , S 1 - S 4 .
Seeley, B; Sewell, J; Clark, PF. 2015 First GB records of the invasive Asian shore crab,
Hemigrapsus sanguineus from Glamorgan, Wales and Kent, England.. Marine Biodiversity
Records, 8 (102)
.