Aspects of the biology of blue crab (Callinectes sapidus RATHBUN, 1896)'in İskenderun Bay (Turkey)

This study was conducted in İskenderun Bay and investigated the cycle ( ovulation, larval period, molt cycle), reproductive biology (fecundity, gonadosomatik index), morphometric aspects, feeding regine, meat analysis (dry weight, protein, lipit ) of Callinectes sapidus from 15 September 1996 to 15 May 1998, Which is originated from Atlantic ( Which is originating Atlantic). The population of mature females in İskenderun Bay were dominant to males (68.8 %) and the carapace of mature females and males were 12.69±2.33 and 12.74+2.77 cm in width, respectively. Whereas, juvenles were observed 7. 81 ±1.98 cm in carapace width. Sexual maturation of females and males was observed at 6.05 and 4.48 carapace length respectively. Mating behaviour was observed in spring from March to April in freshwater and shallow area which was rich in vegetation. Ovulation was detected which detected in Yumurtalık Bight (12-15 m depth) from September to October even until November. The Blue Crab was found to be a mean fecundity of 1.876.968±1. 165.654 and it was found out that after hatcing, larvae were passed through 8 zoeae stage. Hatching occured in 10-20 m depth in entire Yumurtalık Bight However, that were moved to the shallow, vegetation area by winds. Juvenils were first seen in sea between May and September. In Yumurtalık Bight total biomas was calculated as 34.9291 kg/118 km2 ( 0.30 kg/ km2 ). According to the catches which were performed by troll, the biggest number of groups was seen as Blue Crabs. The Blue Crabs was feeding on Bivalvia, Crustacea, Gasropoda, fish and phytoplantons, protein rate of crab meat was obteined as 21.96 %. Although lipit rate was found to be low 0.21%. Key Words: Blue Crab, Callinectes sapidus, Bio-Ecological Parameters, Reproductive Biology, Meat Analysis