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 of the more abundant estuarine
             invertebrates and supports important commercial and recreational fisheries
             along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. The blue crab plays an important role in
             the marine food web, providing prey for many species and a predator on other
             species. The blue crab is a highly prized commodity to consumers.
             Eight species of Callinectes have been documented in the Gulf of
             Mexico: C. bocourti, C. danae, C. ornatus, C. exasperatus, C. marginatus, C.
             similis and C. rathbunae, and Callinectes sapidus.
             The original range of the blue crab is from Nova Scotia and throughout
             the Gulf of Mexico to northern Argentina. The blue crab is rarely found north
             of Cape Cod, but has been recorded in Maine and Nova Scotia. The blue crab
             has been introduced into Europe, North Africa, and Southwest Asia.
             Introductions into the Mediterranean Sea and surrounding waters have
             produced breeding populations whereas others were probably temporary
             occurrences. The blue crab also has been introduced into Japan.
             Blue crabs are one of the most common marine invertebrates and are
             generally abundant throughout the oceans. Peak abundance of adult crabs
             occurs during the warmer months. During winter, crabs are found in areas of
             tidal exchange in the lower estuary. Juvenile blue crabs are most abundant in
             waters of low to intermediate salinity during the winter months.
             Males become sexually mature at the 18 or 19th molt but may continue
             to gro...