LIFE HISTORY OF THE BLUE CRAB. 
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By E. P. CHURCHILL, Jr., 
Assistant, United States Bureau of Fisheries. 
em 
NAME. 
The crab commonly used as an article of food on the eastern coast of the United 
States belongs to the species known as Callinectes sapidus.* ‘This name may be freely 
translated as ‘‘savory graceful swimmer.’’ ‘Those who have eaten this crab in either 
its hard or its soft-shelled state can give ample testimony that the term ‘‘savory”’ is 
well applied. It is known generally as the blue crab from the fact that considerable 
blue color is usually found on its upper surface, especially on its claws. In Chesapeake 
Bay regions, where it forms the basis of an extensive crabbing industry, it is referred 
to simply as the ‘‘crab,”’ other species of crabs having some common distinctive name, 
as the ‘‘fiddler,’”’ ‘‘sea spider,” etc. 
The blue crab belongs to the family known as Portunide, or swimming crabs, 
from the fact that the posterior pair of legs, or back fins, are flattened for use in swim- 
ming. All crabs of this family, in which the abdomen, or apron, of the male is J- 
shaped, belong to the genus Callinectes. The species Callinectes sapidus includes only 
the edible, or blue, crab of the Atlantic coast of the Americas. 
HABITAT AND DISTRIBUTION. 
The blue crab is found on the Atlantic coast from Massachusetts Bay to at least 
as far south as the northern part of South America. In the United States it is common 
from Massachusetts to the southern extremity of Texas.? 
Although occurring at most points on that part of the coast, it is especially abun- 
dant in the bays and mouths of the rivers. It is found during the summer in relatively 
shallow water but at greater depths during the winter. Although its natural medium 
is salt water, instances are known in which specimens have been found in brackish,? 
and even in fresh, water.°® 
The adult crabs tend to remain in deep water, but the young, especially, come 
inshore to a point where the water is only a few inches in depth. In general, the closer 
inshore the observations are made, the smaller the size of the crabs found. 
@ This name was established by Dr. Mary J. Rathbun in The Genus Callinectes. Proceedings, U.S. National Museum, vol. 
18, 1895. Washington, 1896. 
> Hay, W. P.: The Life History of the Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus). Report of the U.S. Bureauof Fisheries, 1904, p. 400. 
Washington, 190s. 
¢ A crab dealer of Hampton, Va., related to the author that he found numerous crabs in Back Bay, Va., on Nov. ts, 1917, 
the water there being fresh enough to drink. 
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