Asian Shore Crab Research Paper

Invasive species interact with the global health of ecosystems; cause great damage to natural systems and are a huge cost to society as a whole (1). Biologists and environmentalists are alarmed that the invasions of these species could lead to large-scale declines and extinction of native species (3). There are approximately 50,000 foreign species Living in the United States, causing major environmental damages which costs add up to about $120 billion a year. It is believed that about 42% of the threatened or endangered species are at risk because of invasive species (4). The Asian shore crab has recently invaded the temperate east coast of North America, being a native species to temperate and subtropical regions of the western pacific it can thrive in any like environment (2). The first reports of this species in North American waters were in intertidal habitats in Delaware Bay and stretch to areas of the coast of Maine (2). In a study from 2002 to 2005 of Asian shore crabs in Western Long Island Sound Estuary it was seen

The feeding rates on the native blue muscle were compared, it was found that the Asian shore crabs had significantly higher feeding rates on the larger muscle classes, implying that they have a larger per capita impact on the prey population than the green crabs did (6). Although Asian shore crabs are known to primarily rely on plant material, they prefer mussels and other crustaceans, and have been known to deplete them. Even after a decrease in prey availability they are still able to maintain high densities. Evidence supports that when depletion of the preferred food source occurs the crabs turn to cannibalism because it is the best option energetically (7). This allows them to support high densities even when the preferred food source is gone or