1. Arthropoda – Blue Crab (Crustacean)
By: Mitch Joyce

2. Classification Common Name Scientific Name Kingdom Name Phylum Name
Blue Crab
Scientific Name
Callinectes sapidus
Kingdom Name
Animalia
Phylum Name
Arthropoda
Class Name
Malacostraca

3. Common Characteristics
Advantage
Fifth leg is a paddle-like shape used for swimming
Symmetry
Bilateral
Body Cavity
Coelomate
Type of Organism
Free living
Omnivore
Aquatic
Segmentation

4. Life Cycle Life Span Offspring Reproduction 1 to 3 years
Most are harvested before they are able to grow old
Offspring
Typically 2 million eggs
Only 1% will survive
to become an adult
Reproduction
Sexually

5. Habitat Where they live Niche Western Atlantic Ocean
Introduced to Europe and Asia
Niche
Major predator of benthic invertebrates and small fish
It is a scavenger
Cleans up pieces of dead animals

6. Special Characteristics
Physical
Pair of flat, oar shaped legs
Swimmerets
Olive green on back, white belly, blue and red on legs
Behavior
Typically walk sideways
Use by Humans
High value fishery species
217.3 million pounds harvested - $142.5 million
Fishery in Chesapeake Bay is for recreational and commercial use

7. Video Blue Crab eating a clam

8. Sources
Davis, Branda, and Glenn Davis. "Life History and Management of Blue Crabs." Maryland Department of Natural Resources. 12 Aug Web. 14 May <
Hill, K. "Callin_sapidu." Smithsonian Marine Station (SMS) at Fort Pierce. 14 May Web. 14 May <
Turner, H. "BLUECRAB.INFO - Blue Crab Life Cycle." BLUECRAB.INFO - The Blue Crab Archives. 14 May Web. 14 May <
"Blue Crabs of the South Atlantic Bight." Web. 14 May <