New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research abstracts

NATURAL HISTORY OF THE PEA CRAB IN WELLINGTON HARBOUR, NEW ZEALAND

J. B. JONES*

Zoology Department, Victoria University of Wellington, Private Bag, Wellington, New Zealand

Abstract The pea crab Pinnotheres novaezelandiae Filhol (Brachyura: Pinnotheridae) infests the mussel Perna canaliculus (Gmelin) ill Wellington Harbour. The crab passes through the same post-planktonic stages as other pea crabs. The number of eggs hatching increases over summer, although females can be found incubating eggs at any time of the year. Shellfish below the level of low water neap tide are more heavily infested than those above this level. Damage to the host is restricted to erosion of the demibranchs and nodule formation on the mantle.

N.Z. Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 11 (iv) : 667-76.. December 1977
Received 18 November 1976; revision received 13 June 1977.

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