Chinese+Mitten+Crab+-+3

=Chinese Mitten Crab (//Eriocheir Sinensis//)=

__General information__
==== The Chinese Mitten Crab is a freshwater crab native to Asia, particularly China. The fine hairs that cover the crab’s claws give it the name mitten crab. They typically measure 1-3 inches across the shell.(2) They are also known as big binding crabs or shanghai hairy crabs. Chinese Mitten Crabs eat a variety of foods including plants and small invertebrates.====


====Adult crabs travel downstream in the fall to perform their mating ritual. Mating is usually done in brackish waters.(1)The male and female mitten crabs couple and the male transfers the sperm to the female. The female crabs travel farther towards the sea and then release up to I million eggs. The eggs are kept on the underside of her shell. The eggs reach the larval stage in about one month. The larvae molt several times until they become adult crabs in 2- 3 years time. They then begin the mating cycle again.(1)====

__Habitat and Distribution__
====The Chinese Mitten Crab is a native species to Asia, and in particular China. It was discovered in San Francisco Bay in 1992.(2) The crabs burrow into the surrounding banks, usually between the low and high tide lines. Chinese Mitten Crabs prefer fresh water, but can tolerate salinity.(1)====

__Impacts__
====The Mitten Crabs pose a problem to local fishermen by destroying their nets and bait. Commercial fishing boats have tried to move outside of Mitten Crab territory, but it keeps expanding at an alarming rate. Chinese Mitten Crabs also speed up the erosion of the banks of levees. They are also known to damage rice crops in Korea.(2)====

__Control Measures__
====To help control the population of Chinese Mitten Crabs it is illegal to transport live ones. The crabs can be fished out of rivers and have no bag limit upstream of the Carquinez Bride, and a limit of 35 per day downstream.(2) In Europe scientists urge people to eat the invading crabs.(3)====

__References__
1."Chinese Mitten Crab" __Wikipedia__ 18 Nov. 2008. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_mitten_crab 2."Chinese Mitten Crab" __CA Deptartment of Fish and Game.__ 19 Nov. 2008. http://www.delta.dfg.ca.gov/mittencrab/ 3. "Chinese Mitten Crab (Eriocheir Sinensis)" __Exotic Aquatics On The Move.__ 19 Nov. 2008. http://www.iisgcp.org/edk-12/EXOTICSP/Chinese_Mitten_Crab.htm

