black sea red data book - Department of Biology

Biology. Highly prolific; main period of reproduction in the middle of summer
(July, August), when water temperature reaches 17 °C. Incubation lasts 25 days; life
span three years (rarely four). Female spawns in the second year of life; adapted for
aerial respiration; maladapted to a medium with chloride level under 10 or over 30 per
mil.
Population trends. Abundant in 1960-1970s when hundreds of individuals were
found on the rocky shores on the southern littoral (Eforie-Mangalia zones). After
1980 it became rare; in recent years young individuals have been found in small
numbers on the southern rocky zones of the Romanian littoral.
Threats. Coastal pollution, coastal hydrotechnical constructions, hard frost in winter;
excess inflow of fresh water.
Conservation measures proposed. Reduce microbial pollution.
References
Bacescu, M, 1954. The influence of the severe winter of 1954 on the Black Sea
ecosystem and fisheries (in Romanian). Bull. Inst. Cercet. P.S.C. 4: 5-12.
Bacescu, M., Dumitrescu E., Marcus A., Palladian G. & R. Mayer, 1963. Donnees
quantitatives sur la faune petricole de la Mer Noire a Agigea (secteur Roumain)
dans les conditions speciales de l'annee 1961. Trav. Mus. Hist. nat. G. Antipa 4: 131-
153.
Bacescu, M. 1967. Decapoda. Fauna R. S. Romania 4 (9): 7-335.
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