Meeting Abstract

P3.155  Tuesday, Jan. 6  Correlation Between Female Size and Egg Quality in the Chesapeake Bay Population of Blue Crab, Callinectes Sapidus. RYCROFT, N*; WELLS, S; MCCONAUGHA, J; Old Dominion University; Old Dominion University; Old Dominion University nrycr001@odu.edu

The ecologically important Chesapeake Bay blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, has recently seen a decline in the population of the species. Previous research has shown a breakdown of the allometric relationship between size and fecundity of mature females. Examination of the eggs from the 2005-2006 spawning seasons showed large inter-annual variations in both lipid and protein concentrations. The 2005 and 2006 data also showed a decrease in lipid and protein concentrations in the eggs as the season progressed. The intent of the study was to examine eggs from 2007 collections and compare the data to the 2005 and 2006 spawning seasons. We hoped to further explain the breakdown of allometry by relating the amount of lipids per egg to the size and weight of the female. Multiple extractions were used to quantify the amount of lipids per egg while a fluorescent plate reader was utilized to measure the protein concentrations. The data shows that average weight of lipids per egg does not have a significant relationship with the weight or size of the female. This does not support the hypothesis that larger crabs which produce less than expected eggs allocate more energy per egg in the form of lipids to help increase the fitness of the larvae.