AquaNISInformation system on aquatic non-indigenous and cryptogenic species |
Species | Eriocheir sinensis | |
Date of the first record (?) | 1935 References (not structured): Ingle RW (1986) The Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis H. Milne Edwards - a contentious immigrant. The London Naturalist, No. 65: 101-105. Clark PF (1986) North-east Atlantic crabs: an atlas of distribution. Ross-on-Wye, Marine Conservation Society. Herborg LM, Rudnick DA, Siliang Y, Lodge DM, MacIsaac HJ (2007) Predicting the range of Chinese mitten crabs in Europe. Conservation Biology. 21(5): 1316-1323. Clark PF (1984) Recent records of Alien crabs in Britain. Naturalist 109: 111-122. Comments: Recorded in the Thames River at Chelsea on the intake screens of a power station. It is also known from the Humber and Medway Estuaries and there are accounts of it from the Tyne Estuary and the Ouse. |
Recipient region (?) | Country: United Kingdom (Britain) LME: 22. North Sea |
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Source region (?) | Ocean: Pacific --> Ocean region: NW Pacific References (not structured): Herborg LM, Rushton SP, Clare AS, Bentley MG (2003) Spread of the Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis H. Milne Edwards) in Continental Europe: analysis of a historical data set. Hydrobiologia 503, 21–28. Herborg LM, Rushton SP, Clare AS, Bentley MG (2005) The invasion of the Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) in the United Kingdom and its comparison to continental Europe. Biol. Invasions 7, 959–968. Herborg LM, Weetman D, Van Oosterhout C, Hanfling B (2007) Genetic population structure and contemporary dispersal patterns of a recent European invader, the Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis. Mol. Ecol. 16, 231–242. Comments: Its introduction to Britain is most probably as a result of ballast water transmissions of larval stages from estuarine ports in continental Europe where there are established populations. |
Pathway / Vector (?) | Level of certainty: Highly likely Pathway: Vessels Vector: (Possible) Ballast water Vector: (Possible) Sea chest References (not structured): Gollasch S (1999) Eriocheir sinensis (Milne-Edwards, 1854), the Chinese Mitten Crab. In: Gollasch S, Minchin D, Rosenthal H, Voigt M (eds.): Exotics Across the Ocean. Case histories on introduced species: their general biology, distribution, range expansion and impact: 55-60. Cohen AN, Carlton JT (1997) Transoceanic transport mechanisms: introduction of the Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis, to California. Pac. Sci. 51, 1–11. Hamer JP, McCollin TA, Lucas IAN (1998) Viability of decapod larvae in ships' ballast water. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 36, 646–647. Comments: While it is likely that the introduction was from ballast water discharges to the Thames Estuary. There is good eveidence from other introductions of this species elsewhere that vessels are responsible for transmissions. It is possible that the species might have been deliberately introduced and released, however considering the date of arrival while possible probably did not take place. A further possibility is from natural spread from northern Europe but this is not thought to be the case as no megalopa stages are known to be captured offshore. |
Habitat type (?) | Estuary Port vicinity Ports Sheltered coastal area References (not structured): Clark PFC, Rainbow PS, Robbins RS, Smith B, Yeomans WE, Thomas M, Dobson G (1998) The alien Chinese mitten-crab, Eriocheir sinensis (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura), in the Thames catchment. Journal of the marine biological Association of the United Kingdom 78: 1215-1221. Comments: This species has an extensive ambulatory migration. It is catadromous reproducing in the brackish conditions of large estuaries to release its larvae. Young crabs migrate into the upper estuaries and to rivers and canals where they develop to adults that then migrate back downriver to brackish conditions. |
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Wave exposure (?) | Sheltered References (not structured): Dittel AI, Epifanio CE (2009) Invasion biology of the Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis: a brief review. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 374: 79-92. Comments: Larvae are confined to estuarine conditions. |
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Salinity range (?) | Exact range: 0 - 45 References (not structured): Anger K (1991) Effects of temperature and salinity on the larval development of the Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis (Decapoda, Grapsidae). Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 72: 103–110. Cieluch U, Anger K, Charmantier-Daures M, Charmantier G (2006) Osmoregulation and immunolocalization of Na+/K+-ATPase during the ontogeny of the mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis (Decapoda, Grapsoidea). Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 329, 169–178. Comments: Mating and fertilization takes place in about 18 psu. Larval zoea tolerate salinities between 10 and 30 psu. Late zoeal stages require higher salinities than the zoea 1 stage. Megalopa stages are thought to then be found in lower salinities that these later zoeal stages. Laboratory studies have shown a tolerance of larvae to 45 psu. |
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Temperature range (?) | Min: 1 Max: 28 References (not structured): Anger K (1991) Effects of temperature and salinity on the larval development of the Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis (Decapoda, Grapsidae). Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 72: 103–110. Comments: 15-18 oC is optimal for larval stages, and juveniles can endure 24-28 oC. |
Zonation / Substratum (?) | Benthic and Pelagic: Littoral (Benthic) Littoral (Pelagic) Sublittoral within photic zone Supralittoral Substratum: Soft (mud to pebbles) References (not structured): Gollasch S (1999) Eriocheir sinensis (Milne-Edwards, 1854), the Chinese Mitten Crab. In: Gollasch S, Minchin D, Rosenthal H, Voigt M (eds.): Exotics Across the Ocean. Case histories on introduced species: their general biology, distribution, range expansion and impact: 55-60. Gilbey V, Attrill MJ, Coleman RA (2008) Juvenile Chinese mitten crabs (Eriocheir sinensis) in the Thames estuary: distribution, movement and possible interactions with the native crab Carcinus maenas. Biol. Invasions 10, 67–77. Comments: Depending on the life history stage the larvae appear in the plankton and undergo the normal development undergoing five zoeal stages to megalopa before settling and becoming a mobile benthic species. |
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Reproductive duration (?) | Medium References (not structured): Dittel AI, Epifanio CE (2009) Invasion biology of the Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis: a brief review. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 374: 79-92. Comments: Crabs that reproduce are variable in size an live about two years, but may survive to four years, they spawn in spring and early summer in the Thames Estuary. | |
Reproductive seasonality (?) | Apr. May References (not structured): Robbins RS, Smith BD, Rainbow PS, Clark PF (1999) Seasonal changes (1995–1997)in the populations of the Chinese mitten crabs, Eriocheir sinensis (Decapoda, Brachyura, Grapsidae) in the Thames at Chelsea, London. In: Carel von Vaupel J, Klein J, Schram FR (eds.) The biodiversity crisis and Crustacea. Proceedings of the 4th international Crustacean congress. A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam, pp. 343–350. Comments: Following reproduction adult crabs are thought to expire. The larval stages last one to two months. |
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Migration pattern (?) | Life-time References (not structured): Veilleux É, de Lafontaine Y (2007) Biological Synopsis of the Chinese Mitten Crab(Eriocheir sinensis) Fisheries and Oceans Canada Science Branch, Pacific Region. Pacific Biological Station Nanaimo, BC V9T 6N7. Panning A (1939) The Chinese mitten crab. Annual Report Smithsonian Institution, 1938, pp. 361–375. Tilburg CE, Dittel AI, Epifanio C, (2007) Retention of crab larvae in a coastal null zone. Estuar. Coast. Shelf Sci. 72, 570–578. Comments: Crabs move downstream to brackish conditions in the Thames Estuary during September to December. Males descend in advance of females. The young crab develop in brackish conditions where they are retained before ascending estuaries and into the rivers and can form dense migrations moving upstream in the Thames catchment in summer. |
Population status (?) | Common (Moderate level of certainty) References (not structured): Herborg LM, Rushton SP, Clare AS, Bentley MG (2005) The invasion of the Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) in the United Kingdom and its comparison to continental Europe. Biol. Invasions 7, 959–968. Clark PF, Rainbow PS, Robbins RS, Smith B, Yeomans WE, Thomas M Dobson G (1998) The Alien Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis (H. Milne Edwards, 1854) [Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura], in the Thames Catchment. Journal of the Marine Biological Association. 78(4): 1215-1221. Rainbow P, Robbins R, Clark P (2003) Alien invaders: Chinese mitten crabs in the Thames and spreading. Biologist 50 (5): 227-230. Comments: Established in the Thames and Humber river and estuarine regions. |
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Species status (?) | Non-indigenous species References (not structured): Herborg L-M, Rushton SP, Clare AS, Bentley MG (2005) The invasion of the Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) in the United Kingdom and its comparison with Continental Europe. Biological Invasions 7(6): 959-968. Ingle RW (1986) The Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis H. Milne Edwards - a contentious immigrant. The London Naturalist 63: 101-105. Ingle RW, Andrews MJ (1976) Chinese mitten crab reappears in Britain. Nature, London 263: 638. Wall C, Limbert M (1983) A Yorkshire record of the Chinese Mitten Crab. Naturlist 108: 147. Comments: The crab is clearly non-indigenous and may be expected to colonise other rivers with large estuaries. |
Ports | Port: London Date of the first record: 1935 Population status: Common References: Stentiford, G (2005) Survey of Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) from the Thames estuary to investigate their potential as vectors for the metacercarial stage of the human lung fluke (Paragonimus westermani). Report to the London Port Health Authority. Comments: Life history stages of the crab will occur within the port region. |
Port vicinities | Port vicinity: London Date of the first record: 1935 Population status: Common References: Stentiford, G (2005) Survey of Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) from the Thames estuary to investigate their potential as vectors for the metacercarial stage of the human lung fluke (Paragonimus westermani). Report to the London Port Health Authority. Comments: Life history stages pass throughout the port region seasonally. |
Created by | Dan Minchin, 2012-03-07 |
Last update by | Elizabeth J. Cook, 2013-11-13 |