Maintenance of Non-Breeding Populations of the Estuarine Prawn Callianassa Kraussi (Crustacea, Anomura, Thalassinidea)

Abstract

Despite the occurrence of populations of the anomuran prawn Callianassa kraussi Stebbing in salinities as low as one part per thousand, investigation showed that a minimum salinity of 25-30 parts per thousand was required for successful development of the eggs and larval stages. Dispersal into areas of low salinity and maintenance of these non-breeding populations is accomplished by migration of the early post-larval stages from higher salinity areas.