th no distinction toward size. The sizes of the specimens collected were
found to range from 0.5 to 4.2 cm. The crabs were collected in a plastic five gallon
bucket. Water was added to the bucket to keep the crabs from dehydrating. The crabs
were taken back to the lab, where they were kept in the plastic five gallon buckets for a
few weeks until the experiment began. Air hoses were added to the buckets in order to
oxygenate the water. The water was changed, as necessary.
The first experiment conducted was the experiment regarding water temperature
and salinity tolerances. The objective was to conduct an experiment that would provide
measurable data on the tolerance of H. sanguineus in various water salinities, over a
To conduct this experiment, 8 one gallon acrylic tanks were obtained. Four were
used for the cold temperature experiment, and four were used for the room temperature
Next, water of varying salinities were produced. We started with seawater that
had a salinity of 30 parts per thousand. To obtain water with a salinity of 15 parts per
thousand, the sea water was slowly diluted by adding tap water. The water was added
slowly, and frequently checked with a salinity refractometer until the desired salinity of
15 parts per thousand was obtained. The water was further diluted, using the method
above, to obtain the 5 parts per thousand water. To obtain the water with a salinity of 40
parts per thousand, the 30 parts per thousand sea water was again used, but this time was
left uncovered as to allow for water evaporation. After several days, and frequent testing
with the salinity refractometer, the water had a salinity of 40 parts per thousand. The
containers of water were covered with plastic wrap, as to prevent evaporation, and keep
the salinities constant. In additional a layer of mesh was used to cover the top of each
container, to prevent the crabs from escaping (...