The Blue Crab in North Carolina
 North Carolina State University

Postlarval or Megalopal Stage Blue Crab


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In 2003, megalopae were collected at four sites on Pamlico Sound, NC. These sites were Oregon Inlet, Hatteras Inlet, Manns Harbor, and Englehard (see map). Megalopae are transported into and around Pamlico Sound by both tides and wind-driven currents.

Predictions have been made showing how wind direction affects flow in Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds (see refverence below). With this information, can we make predictions of where megalopae will settle given a certain wind direction? Please look at our wind/water current simulation to see.

NOTE: The water flows for a given wind direction were obtained from:

Xie, L. and D.B. Eggleston. 1999. Computer simulations of wind-induced estuarine circulation patterns and estuary-shelf exchange processes: the potential role of wind forcing on larval transport. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. 49, 221-234.

The number of blue crab megalope settled is from actual data obtained from August 1-Oct 31, 2003. Numbers shown are average daily settlement per collector of all days with that wind direction.