The scientific name given to the blue crab was derived from Latin and Greek: Calli, beautiful; nectes, swimmer; and sapidus, savory. Thus, a literal transition might be the beautiful savory swimmer. The blue crab is an important and interesting species. The blue crab is a species whose life history involves a complex cycle of planktonic, nektonic, and benthic stages which occur throughout the marine environment in a variety of habitats. The blue crab is one …showed first 75 words of 424 total…

…showed last 75 words of 424 total…available from the Gulf of Mexico, although it has been estimated to reach a maximum age of 4 years in Florida and 7-8 years in Chesapeake Bay. Autotomy (voluntary breaking of appendages) and regeneration are common in blue crabs. One survey found that 19-25% of blue crabs were either missing or regenerating a limb. A functional appendage is formed by regeneration following the next molt, although three molts may be required for 100% limb regeneration. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **Bibliography**