29.12.2013 Views

Vol. 53 - Alaska Resources Library and Information Services

Vol. 53 - Alaska Resources Library and Information Services

Vol. 53 - Alaska Resources Library and Information Services

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

during the June cruise (83-3).<br />

during this study.<br />

No megalopae (glaucothoe) were collected<br />

Individual larval growth was substantial between late April <strong>and</strong> mid-<br />

June. The estimated daily individual growth rate rose from 4.58 ug dry<br />

weight per day between late April <strong>and</strong> mid-May to 18.74 ug dry weight<br />

per day between late May <strong>and</strong> mid-June (Figure 3.3-1). This occurred<br />

while the individual zoeae were increasing from an estimated individual<br />

mean of 265 ug to 878 ug dry weight.<br />

3.4 Post-larval Size <strong>and</strong> Age Distribution<br />

Cruise 83-1 (18 April - 7 May 1983). In April <strong>and</strong> May 1983, 131 red<br />

king crabs were collected from 21 stations (Table 3.4-1). The population<br />

was composed of 81 (62%) males, 43 (33%) juvenile females, <strong>and</strong><br />

seven (5%) adult females, whose sizes ranged from 4-133 mm carapace<br />

length. Using Weber's age criteria (Weber 1967) only 7.6 percent of all<br />

crabs collected during April <strong>and</strong> May were one year-old. An additional<br />

10 crabs (7.5%) were less than age 1 (0+ or 1982 YOY). A total of 18 1+<br />

year-old (15-28 mm) <strong>and</strong> two 2 year-old crabs was found. Only two crabs<br />

were found in the 2+ age category. A total of 22 age 3 (50-67 mm) crabs<br />

were encountered; age 3+ <strong>and</strong> age 4 crabs numbered 11 <strong>and</strong> 10, respectively.<br />

Eight adult females were part of the age 4++ crabs.<br />

The male:female ratios at ages 1, 2, 3, 4 <strong>and</strong> 4++ were 4:1, 2:1, 1:1,<br />

0.6:1, <strong>and</strong> 1.3:1, respectively. The male:female ratio for all juvenile<br />

sizes through age 4 was 1.8:1 (Table 3.4-1).<br />

Cruise 83-3 (2-17 June 1983). A total of 137 red king crabs was collected<br />

during the June cruises (Table 3.4-2). The crab population<br />

composition was 73 (<strong>53</strong>%) males, 49 (36%) immature females, 7 (5%)<br />

unidentified sex <strong>and</strong> 8 (6%) adult females. The sizes ranged from 3-126<br />

mm carapace length. Only five age 1 crabs were collected. Thirteen<br />

crabs were younger than one year of age (1982 YOY). A total of 21 age<br />

348

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!