Breeding Success of Large Male Red King Crab Paralithodes camtschaticus with Multiparous Mates
- Authors: A.J. Paul and J.M. Paul
- Pub. no.: RP-98-02
- Year: 1997
- No. pages: 3
- Price: Single copies free
Description
A large scale, unexplained population decrease in Alaska red king crab halted the once commercially important fishery for males of this species. Because fishing decreases the number of large males, it is important to understand their reproductive capacity so the stocks can be preserved. This research suggests that most male red king crabs over 140 mm carapace length (legal size) can fertilize three mates during the brief period when most multiparous females breed. Even though a male's maximum reproductive capacity may be seven mates, for population modeling purposes it is more realistic to expect only three mates. Journal of Shellfish Research 16(2):379-381, 1997.
