Document Type
Article
Department/Program
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Publication Date
2011
Journal
Fishery Bulletin
Volume
109
Issue
2
First Page
139
Last Page
146
Abstract
The abundance of juvenile blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) in the northcentral Gulf of Mexico was investigated in response to climate-related hydrological regimes. Two distinct periods of blue crab abundance (1, 1973-94 and 2, 1997-2005) were associated with two opposite climate-related hydrological regimes. Period 1 was characterized by high numbers of crabs, whereas period 2 was characterized by low numbers of crabs. The cold phase of the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) and high north-south wind momentum were associated with period 1. Hydrological conditions associated with phases of the AMO and North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) in conjunction with the north-south wind momentum may favor blue crab productivity by influencing blue crab predation dynamics through the exclusion of predators. About 25% (22-28%) of the variability in blue crab abundance was explained by a north south wind momentum in concert with either salinity, precipitation, or the Palmer drought severity index, or by a combination of the NAO and precipitation.
Keywords
Mississippi Sound; Habitat Selection; Northern Gulf; Salt Marshes; Nekton Use; Louisiana; Usa; Predation; Megalopae; Fishery
Recommended Citation
Sanchez-Rubio, Guillermo; Perry, Harriet M.; Biesiot, Patricia M.; Johnson, Donald R.; and Lipcius, Rom, Climate-Related Hydrological Regimes And Their Effects On Abundance Of Juvenile Blue Crabs (Callinectes Sapidus) In The Northcentral Gulf Of Mexico (2011). Fishery Bulletin, 109(2), 139-146.
https://scholarworks.wm.edu/vimsarticles/551
