(Photo : Getty Images) Breeding and Sexual Development in Blue CrabsĪ cell doesn't split its sex chromosomes in the usual fashion at some point, bringing about uneven distribution of sexual characteristics, from coloring to reproductive organs. Meagher said this condition is a cellular aberration that is believed to take place when the crab is still in its egg form. Meagher said: "Our crab's claws are not showing this as clearly, but we are identifying it more and more every day as it settles into its new abode and receives nutrient-rich meals."īilateral gynandromorphy, when the division of characteristics is split down the middle, often arises very early in the development of an organism, when it possess just between 8 and 64 cells. In a 'sook,' or a female, the pincers are pinkish and the underbelly is rounded, 'like the Capitol dome'.Īn expert in animal husbandry at the Delmarva Discovery Museum, September Meagher, told the male claw is bluer and the female claw is less blue and tipped with red. SookĪccording to Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), in a 'Jimmy', or a male blue crab, the underbelly is pointed 'like the Washington Monument,' while the claws are a deep blue. Instead of throwing it in his catch, Smith, a crabber for over four decades, gave it away to the Delmarva Discovery Museum, where it now gets to lounge all over in its own 70-gallon tank.Īlso Read: Heavyweight Crustacean: Coconut Crabs Can Pinch Like Lions, Lift More Than 66 Pounds Jimmy Vs. Chesapeake Bay Magazine reported that Waterman Jerry Smith captured the newest one. Generally, male blue crabs possess blue claw tips and a T-shaped apron, while females possess red tips and a wide apron. In at least 15 years, a gynandromorphic crab hasn't been reported on the Eastern Seaboard. It possesses both red and blue-tipped claws and an underbelly, or apron, that is split right down the center. This crab, which has an extremely uncommon condition referred to as bilateral gynandromorphy, is approximately 4-and-a-half inches long and evaluated to be in its third year. Most blue crabs, however travel to the bays’ depths and burrow into the mud, while others travel to the mouth to the ocean.(Photo : Getty Images) Bilateral Gynandromorphy Even though the bay begins a “sleep” for many species, some come to life like the oyster beds and the crisp, cool oysters ready for a harvesting! Briny sweet with a metallic, melon like finish, these oysters also attract some of the die-hard blue crabs. Their meat becomes compacted and buttery from the increased tomalley or crab fat.įinally, winter sets the sun on another crab season up north and the crabbers make their own migration to southern waters like the Gulf of Mexico and sounds and straits in Florida. With the temperature shift, they begin to liven their swimming toward food supplies that will help them for the impending winter. Fall takes this stage to a “Fat Crab Season” level. ![]() The higher the temperature leads the crabs toward deeper water for an ideal 70☏. Small fish, larger insects, and smaller crustaceans lead the charge. Summer days set out a smorgasbord of nourishment for all blue crabs. Crabbers know this habit and reap the benefits in charting and potting crabs based on their crab house demands. ![]() Once fertilized, the sooks travel back into the lower bay to spawn, while a large quantity of the males stay upstream. Eelgrass, insects, and snails serve as a starter. Both jimmy (male) and sook (female) make the commute for mating and to dine on the new life along and in the waters. Early spring spells everything north and upstream. Wily and energetic younger crabs, 5”-6” lead the swim to more comfortable waters, while the jumbo and behemoth burrow in mud for comfort from Mother Nature’s wrath. Extreme heat and frigid cold stir both jumbo and bay blue crab into survival mode.
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