Epibiota associated with setae on Chinese mitten crab claws <i>Eriocheir sinensis</i> H. Milne-Edwards, 1853): a first record

Abstract

Eriocheir sinensis H. Milne-Edwards, 1853 is a non-native speciesfound in European waters. Analyses of mitten crabs caught inbrackish waters (Gulf of Gdańsk, Poland) and in freshwater (HavelRiver, Germany) have indicated that numerous epibionts (possiblytemporary) inhabit the dense setal mats that cover the chelipeds.Of the 950 associates found on 22 crabs collected from brackishwater, the most abundant were Nematoda (82.3%), followedby Bivalvia (10.3%), Crustacea (5.6%), Oligochaeta(1.2%) and Gastropoda (0.6%). In comparison, 1280 specimens(Chironomidae - 67.6% and Halacaridae - 32.4%), wereidentified from 13 crabs collected in freshwater. As this crab can migratelong distances, it is capable of transporting native and non-native speciesvia its mittened claws to new habitats.

Keywords

• <i>Eriocheir sinensis</i>
• Non-native species
• Catadromous
• Temporary epibiota