A study is on the settlement of blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) postlarvae (Megalopae) on the north coast of Yumurtalik cove

In this study, determining of settlement time, area and amount of the blue crab Callinectes sapidus postlarvae (megalopae), which is origined at Atlantic Ocean, in the Yumurtalık Cove located northwestern of Iskenderun Bay are determined. The effect of ecological factors such as; temparature, salinity, lunar phase for the settlement was examined. In the Yumurtalık Cove, post larvae samples were collected every other day on standart artificial collectors during June-November 2011 at the 4 stations which have different bottom structures. In the present study, totaly 28 Callinectes sapidus, 228 Portunus sp. and 8 post larvae specimens of the other species which were dependent on Portunidae family were collected. 54% of the total number of blue crab post larvae settled on sea grass beds at 2^nd area, 25% on mud and marsh places at 1^st area, 14 % on sandy and vegetable places at 4^th area and 7% on sandy places at ? 3 ? ^tharea. Blue crab post larvae settlement occured firstly at ? 17 ? ^th June and lastly at ? 14 ? ^th October. The major settlement period occured from August through September. The greatest number of blue crab postlarvae were obtained when the full moon. Daily maximum blue crab postlarvae on collectors was caught on in July 19 (full moon) and August 29 (new moon). In Yumurtalık Cove, the average deep water temperature from June to November 2011 is determined as 25.1±0.9?, the average salinity 36.7±0.1?, respectively. It is identified that the differences in temperature and salinity in the months and stations are significantly important (p<0.05).