Abiotic & biotic factors of preferred habitat
- Favorable temperature for juveniles to adult stage ranges between 24-28°C
- Favorable temperature for larval stage ranges between 15-18°C
- During the larval stage the Chinese Mitten Crabs favored location is where the tide meets the river
- Prefer to move to ocean floor as they age into the Megalopal stage
- Swim upstream through steady water as Juveniles
- Adult Chinese Mitten Crabs tend to locate themselves at the bottom of the rivers
- Relocates to the salt water part of estuary during the reproductive stage
Distribution
Established Locations
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Non-established Locations
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Life cycle
Steps before becoming a juvenile crab:
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- 7 Larval stages
- Prezoea stage
- 5 Zoeal stages
- Megalope stage
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- Takes 1-2 months before becoming a juvenile crab
- Takes another 2-5 years until mature enough for reproduction
Reproductive Strategies
- Mating begins during late fall and early winter
- Females move into deeper water once mating is complete
- Eggs are spawn twenty four hours after mating
- Female crabs continue to proceed into deep waters while eggs continue to develop
- Migrate back to high salinity water during Spring