Citizen Science: Larval Blue Monitoring Project

Docent Manual

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MARINE SCIENCE INSTITUTE

MISSION ARANSAS NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE

1 Contents

INTRODUCTION

Project Overview ______3

Project Goals ______4

Background Information ______5

PROCEDURES

Sample Collection ______8

Site Information ______10

Sample Analysis ______11

Crab Identification ______13

RESOURCES

Frequently Asked Questions ______15

Citizen Science Contacts ______16

References ______17

APPENDICES

Appendix A: Citizen Science Recruitment Flyer ______18

Appendix B: Potential Project Expansion ______19

Appendix C: Project Poster ______20

Photo courtesy of: http://sherpaguides.com/chesapeake_bay/natural_history/ 2 INTRODUCTION Project Overview

The Citizen Science: Larval Blue Crab Monitoring Project was designed to monitor the spatial and temporal distribution of larval blue throughout the Mission-Aransas Estuary. Blue crabs have been deemed, by Reserve stakeholders, a critically important species because of their roles as a main food source for the endangered Whooping Crane and for their economic value to Texas fisheries. Researchers have called upon volunteers to help collect data that researchers alone cannot collect. Without the help of these volunteers the Reserve would not have the ability to do such thorough sampling. These volunteers or, “citizen scientists,” enhance the research potential of the Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve (Mission-Aransas Reserve) and the University of Texas Marine Science Institute (UTMSI). Volunteers use collectors to sample larval blue crabs from selected sites within the Estuary and then prepare the samples for later analyses by UTMSI staff. The collectors are constructed from PVC pipe that is covered with a sleeve of ‘hogs-hair’ air-conditioning filter. The collectors are suspended from docks or piers, just below the surface of the water. Sampling consists of pulling the collector from the water, removing the filter, rinsing the crab larvae from the filter with fresh water and concentrating the sample. Samples are preserved in ethanol and enumerated in the laboratory by UTMSI researchers. The sampling methodology was adapted from a previous project that was conducted by researchers along the East Coast of North America to study settlement patterns of blue crab larvae (Eggleston, 2010).

Map of Mission-Aransas Reserve with larval blue crab collection sites. 3 Introduction

Project Goals

The goal of this monitoring project is to obtain information about the distribution and population dynamics of larval blue crabs. Citizen scientists will help resource managers increase their understanding of the changes in survival rates and migration patterns of blue crab larvae within the Mission-Aransas Reserve. Ultimately, by knowing more about how blue crab larvae behave, this project could help us understand why populations of this economically and ecologically important species are declining. In addition, this project will result in the formation of strong partnerships among UTMSI, the Mission- Aransas Reserve, local residents, and natural resource managers. Such collaborative research brings local citizens into the academic environment where they are encouraged to take ownership and responsibility for our local estuary and its resources. This project will set a precedent for future collaboration with residents and organizations that will benefit the environment and everyone involved.

Photo courtesy of Sherry Halbrook 4 Introduction

Background Information types of birds, including the endangered Whooping Cranes. According to a stock assessment by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in 2007, there has been a long-term decline in the abundance of blue crabs in Texas coastal waters, from 1982 to 2008. This is despite a 28% reduction in fishing licenses issued

since250 1999 (Sutton, 2007).

200

150

100 Calinectes sapidus is harvested commercially. The one on the Catch/hectare 50 right is carrying newly formed eggs. Eggs become dark brown before being released. 0

Blue crabs, ¸ are an Aransas San Antonio All Other Bays economically and ecologically important species in Graph showing downward trend in Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) Texas. They support a multi-million dollar commercial of Blue Crabs. Courtesy of Dr. Mark Fisher, Texas Parks and Wild- crabbing industry and are a major component of life Department. the estuarine food web. The 3.5 million pounds Loss of habitat, over-fishing, by-catch, and harvested in 2010 was well below the historic average reduced freshwater inflows have all been suggested of 6.3 million and nowhere near the 11.9 million as potential factors contributing to the decline of pounds landed in 1987 (TPWD 2010). Under normal blue crabs. At a blue crab conference hosted by the circumstances, these landings generate around $12 Mission-Aransas Reserve in 2012, it was suggested million annually for coastal economies. Blue crabs that high mortality among larval crab populations also serve as prey items for other crabs, fish, and many may be the primary factor in explaining blue crab declines, but further research is needed.

Blue crabs are a critical food source for the endangered Whooping Cranes that migrate from the Wood Buffalo National Park in Canada to spend the winter in the Texas Coastal Bend. C. sapidus life cycle migration within the upper, middle, and Photo courtesy of David McCool. lower estuary. Figure courtesy of Zack Darnell. 5 Introduction

The blue crab is found in a variety of different in the spring. Females store sperm from the males coastal habitats in Texas, including the upper, middle, and are capable of releasing multiple broods of eggs. and lower estuary and adjacent waters of the Gulf Females tend to travel to higher salinity waters to of Mexico. Growth and development of blue crabs release eggs and young crabs will then work their consist of a series of larval, juvenile, and adult stages way back into the bays and estuaries as they mature in which a variety of morphological, behavioral, and (Darnell, 1959). physiological changes occur. Blue crabs are found in a wide range of In Texas, zoeae (the first larval stage), are salinities and are not generally considered a good believed to be found mainly in the open Gulf, where indicator species for freshwater inflow. Attraction to humic (terrestrial) acid residues in the water from terrestrial runoff and aquatic plants may explain how larval blue crabs find inlets to the estuary and how they migrate in the water column to maximize transport into the estuary. There is a possibility that blue crab larvae found deep in the estuary are from crabs that released their clutches within the estuary as opposed to out in the Gulf (Rittschoff, 2011). The vertical migration of these larvae within the water column is an important variable to consider. In Georgia, it has been found that the majority of both megalopae (86.8%) and juvenile (89.3%) blue crabs C. sapidus megalopae. Photo courtesy Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. were recovered in bottom samplers at the low-salinity sites during August and early September (Bishop their distribution within the water column determines 1896). In North Carolina it has been suggested that their eventual transport back into the estuary. Crab larval blue crabs settle to the bottom in lower salinity larvae have been observed at the surface of the water ebb tide and rise to the surface during higher salinity column where they are thought to be riding incoming flood tides (Forward, 2003). However, the salinity of currents. They have also been observed settling at the the estuaries in Texas does not behave in the same bottom of the water column which may prevent them way, due to limited freshwater inflow. from being swept in an undesired direction. In the coastal waters of Texas, Callinectes spp. Blue crabs have been observed entering megalopae have been found throughout the year. the estuary as megalopae (the second larval stage), King noted three spikes of megalopae in Cedar Bayou, during which time they adopt a more benthic Texas, occurring in January-March, May-June, and (bottom dwelling) existence and settle into areas October (Daugherty, 1952; More, 1969; King 1971). of the estuary that provide shelter and food. After Another important variable to consider in this study settlement, megalopae change into juveniles that is the existence of two separate, almost identical, will undergo a number of post-larval molts before species of Callinectes larvae found in the Mission- reaching sexual maturity. Blue crabs typically breed Aransas Estuary. Stuck and Perry (1982) provided in the fall and summer and females release their eggs useful information for distinguishing the megalopae

6 Introduction and early adult stages of the two species, C. sapidus and C. similis. C. sapidus is the species of interest in this study. C. similis is commonly known as the lesser blue crab and is not commercially fished. Analysis of archived plankton samples from Mississippi and Louisiana coastal waters has provided information on the seasonality of C. sapidus megalopae in the northern Gulf (Stuck and Perry, 1982). C. sapidus megalopae were rarely found in samples before May. These data suggest that the reported winter peaks of Callinectes larvae in the northern Gulf can be attributed to C. similis. However, similar taxonomic work has not been completed for megalopae collected along the Texas coast and the population dynamics of the two species is still somewhat unknown. Because blue crabs are such an economically and ecologically important species in Texas, it is essential that we gain a better understanding of the potential effects that changing environmental conditions may have on larval population dynamics. Therefore, the project described in the following pages is designed to use a collaboration of volunteers, organizations, and researchers to collect and analyze data that will enhance our understanding of larval blue crab migrations over space and time.

7 PROCEDURES Sample Collection

1. Use a pencil to record date (mm/dd/yy), time (24:00), scientist initials, and any other notes (e.g., raining, larvae collector out of water, did not sample for two days, etc.) in yellow field log.

5. Deploy fresh collector. Check for loose knots or 2. Retrieve collector by fraying line. pulling float line up and leaving the anchor line set. Some collectors only have one line. Some locations have multiple collectors, these can be rinsed together into one sample.

3. Remove old hog’s hair filter and place in empty bucket.

4. With blue grid on the inside, attach the clean filter to the PVC with elastic straps or 6. Rinse larval crabs and rubber bands (make other collected material sure the filter will not from collector with fresh slip off of the collector hose water into the by securing zip ties bucket until filter is clean. through the center and around the length of 7. Pour bucket contents the PVC). through sieve and rinse bucket. 8 Procedures

8. Rinse sieve contents into vial using funnel and fresh water squirt bottle. Sample should not take up more than 3/4 of vial. Concentrate through sieve if needed. This may take multiple attempts.

11. Replace and store supplies and sample in designated spot where they can dry.

9. Add ethyl alcohol from squirt bottle to fill the rest of the vial.

• Please remember to lock all gates after you are done. While sampling, make sure to secure your 10. Label vial with date, time, and sample location site keys to avoid dropping them in the water. - on labeling tape or vial with permanent marker.

• If problems occur during sampling, don’t worry about it. Even great scientists experience problems in their research. Just make sure to record the error or difficulty in the field log.

• Your safety is a priority so please do not sample during dangerous conditions, such as when lightning is present.

9 Procedures

Site Information Horace Caldwell Pier (HCP) Conn Brown Harbor Port Aransas Beach Road, Port Aransas, TX 78373 138 Allen Blvd. Aransas Pass, TX 78336 Coordinates: +27° 49’ 33.37”, -97° 3’ 2.28” Coordinates: +27° 54’ 47.70”, -97° 7’ 48.44”

Permission to enter pier obtained from Jeff Miller. Contact for site is Eddie Gilden Jr. at Aransas Marine Supplies kept under the sink in Keepers restaurant at Ways Inc. entrance to the pier. 1425 S. Water Street Pier Rockport (R) Line is secured with PVC, chain, and a padlock. Key is 1425 S. Water Street, Rockport, TX kept in supply bucket next to sink. Coordinates: +28° 0’ 26.77”, -97° 3’ 13.85” Must sign a HOA liability release to enter the pier. Pier locked with combination lock. Supplies kept in a cooler and crate between the two houses. Lydia Ann Lighthouse +27.863628,-97.056826

All sampling here done by Rick Reichenbach, light- house keeper.

UTMSI Institute Pier (UTMSI) 750 Channelview Drive, Port Aransas, TX 78373 Coordinates: +27° 50’ 17.28”, -97° 3’ 0.66”

Key to pier located in Rehabilitation Keep (ARK) and at the Visitor Center front desk.

Supplies kept in pier lab; key opens gate to pier and doors to lab. 2012 Site Collector is in the northeast corner of the deck under Heron’s Roost Private Pier (RP) the pier. To gain access to the deck take the stairway Across from Primrose Circle, Rockport, TX 78382 along the east side of the pier. Coordinates: +28° 4’ 16.81”, -97° 2’ 4.86”

Site was discontinued due to low amounts of crabs present.

Potential Future Partner Sites Goose Island State Park (GISP) 202 South Palmetto Street, Rockport, TX 78382 Coordinates: +28° 7’ 41.80”, -96° 59’ 8.52”

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) 1 Wildlife Circle, Austwell, TX 77950 Coordinates: Undefined site location. A map of the current sites is available on Google Maps here or copy and paste (https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=2045742 77023350173808.0004d36b7ba047657fd03&msa=0&ll=28.013309,-97.037816&spn=0.021785,0.031629) to your browser. 10 Procedures

Sample Analysis 5. Using a large-bore pipet, remove all Callinectes This portion of the project requires extra training. megalopae from the sample and place in one or more petri dishes (blue crab megalopae are about 2 mm in 1. Record date and location of sample in Microsoft size, and easily visible to the naked eye. However, if Excel spreadsheet (You can use a journal to record as you have doubts about the presence of larvae, pipet you’re counting and enter the data into a spreadsheet them out and examine them under the dissecting after. microscope.)

2. Empty contents of sample vial into glass bowl. If 6. Using a dissecting microscope, count the number there are multiple vials for a single sample, they can of Callinectes megalopae in the sample. This can be be combined. done while you are pipetting them into the petri 3. Estimate total number of Callinectes megalopae dishes. Record the number of megalopae separately. present. If it looks like there are >200, proceed to step 4. If there are <200, skip to step 5.

7. If there are > 60 Callinectes megalopae, proceed to step 8. If there are <60 Callinectes megalopae, skip to 4. Using a plankton splitter, split the sample until you step 9. have approximately 100-300 megalopae. This may require multiple splits. Keep track of how many times 8. Randomly select 60 megalopae for species the sample was split and record it in the spreadsheet. identification.

11 Procedures

Callinectes sapidus (blue crab) (lesser blue crab) Megalopae -Angled carapace, follows eye -Curved carapace-Longer antenna than C. -Shorter antenna than C. similis sapidus Table 1.

9. Identify Callinectes megalopae to the species level using Table 1 and Figures 1–2 to help distinguish between the two blue crab species. Record the number of each stage of each species in the spreadsheet.

10. Put a check mark on the sample tube and the cap, indicating that it has been counted.

11. Obtain a smaller vile and use forceps to place the Callinectes megalopae into the vial. Label it with the date and site location. The vial should be filled with 70% ethanol to preserve the sample.

12. Anything not placed into the smaller vial can be discarded and the original tube should be cleaned and dried for reuse.

12 Procedures

Crab Identification

Figure 2. Megalopae of C. sapidus (left) and C. similis (right) . Note the difference in shape of the forward slope of the carapace; gradually rounded in C. similis and angular in C. sapidus. (Ogburn et al., 2011)

13 Procedures

Figure 5. Drawings of fiddler crab megalopae. (source unknown)

1 mm

Figure 3. Drawing of Mottled shore crab megalopa, Pachygrapsus transversus. Adapted from A.A.V. Flores et al. 1850.

Figure 4. Drawings of Stone crab megalopae. Adapted from Martin et al., 1988. 14 RESOURCES

Frequently Asked Questions be less than $50. Tax will not be reimbursed so ask for tax exempt. You will need an itemized receipt to do Q: The filter looks very frayed. Is that normal? this. Turn receipts in to Colleen McCue. A. Yes, to try and prevent fraying, secure the elastic straps as close to the top and bottom of the PVC tube Q: Do I need to sample at the same time each day? as possible. If your filters are too frayed, request new A: We understand that everyone has different ones. schedules but the closer you can get to sampling at the same time each day, the more accurate the data Q: Who can I call with questions or supply requests? will be. A: For any questions or concerns call Colleen McCue at 361-749-3153 or try 440-552-0769 for an emergency. Q: What do we do with the samples once they are labeled? Q: The lines are wrapped around each other. What do A: There are different arrangements for each site. The I do? best thing to do is have someone drop off the samples A: It’s common to find the anchor line and collector at UTMSI once a month and retrieve new supplies. If line wrapped together from the wind and waves. If volunteers cannot do this call Colleen McCue and you can, untie the collector line and wind it around arrangements will be made to transport the samples. the anchor line until it becomes unwrapped. Try not to untie the anchor line as this is more difficult to Q: Who can become a citizen scientist? retrieve. A: Anyone who is willing to take a sample at least once a week. All volunteers must fill out the appropriate Q: There are a lot of smaller organisms stuck in the Volunteer Application and Background Check Forms filter. Do I need to get them all out? available at www.missionaransas.org under the “Get A: It is not critical that you get all organisms out of the Involved” and “Become A Volunteer” tabs. All UTMSI filter if they are not larval blue crabs. It is common to volunteers must provide a photo ID and proof of see isopods and other -like critters stuck in the health insurance. filter. Give them a close look and if they are crabs rinse them out as much as you can. Q: Are the samples being analyzed? A: During the summer of 2012 a Research Experience Q: Part or all of the collector disappeared. What do I for Undergraduates (REU) student, Melanie Peel, do? counted and identified the crabs from the samples. A: If you have a replacement part to fix the problem Specially trained volunteers and students from the feel free to fix it yourself. If you don’t have the parts or University will continue to analyze the incoming are unsure what to do, call Colleen McCue. samples.

Q: Can we, as volunteers, purchase supplies? A: Yes you are welcome to donate supplies or you can be reimbursed for them from UTMSI. The total must 15 Resources

Citizen Science Contacts

Project Coordinator: Colleen McCue ([email protected]) 361-749-3153

Researchers: Ed Buskey ([email protected])

Site Contacts:

Horace Caldwell Pier Jeff Miller ([email protected])

Conn Brown Harbor Eddie Gilden Jr. 361-758-2900

Rockport Heron’s Roost: Russ & Marilee Bell ([email protected]) Joyce McCoy HOA President ([email protected]) UTMSI Colleen McCue ([email protected])

Lydia Ann Lighthouse Rick Reichenbach [email protected]

16 Resources

References

Bishop, T. D. Miller, H.L. Walker, R.L. Hurley, D.H. Menken More, W.R. 1969. A Contribution to the biology of the ,T. and Tilburg,C.E. 1896. Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus blue crab (Callinectes sapidusrathbun) In Texas With Rathbun) Settlement at Three Georgia (USA) Estuarine a Description of the Fishery. Texas Parks and Wildlife Sites. Estuaries and Coasts. 33(3):688 - 698. Department Technical Series 9:1-54.

Darnell, RM. 1959. Studies of the Life History of the Perry, H.M., and T.D. McIlwain. 1986. Species profiles Blue Crab Callinectes Sapidus in Louisiana waters. : life histories and environmental requirements of Transactions of the American Fisheries Society. coastal fishes and invertebrates (Gulf of Mexico)-blue 88:294-304. crab. U.S. Fish Wild l. Serv. Biol. Rep. 82(11.55). U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 82(4):21. Daugherty, F.M.Jr. 1952. Notes on Callinectes danae Smith in Aransas Bay, Texas, and Adjacent Waters. Rittschof, D. January 26, 2011. Blue Crab Biology The Blue Crab Investigation. Reprint from The Texas Presentation at the University of Texas Marine Science Journal of Science. 4(2). Institute. Duke University Marine Laboratory Nicholas School, Duke University. Eggleston, D. B., Reyns, N.B. , L.L. Etherington, G. Plaia and L. Xie. 2010. Tropical storm and environmental Stuck and Perry, 1982. Settlement patterns of forcing on regional blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) Callinectes sapidus megalopae in Mississippi Sound. settlement. Fisheries Oceanography. 19(2):89-106. Bulletin of Marine Science. 57(3):821-833.

Flores et al. 1850. The Megalopa and Juvenile Texas Parks and Wildlife 2010. Stock Assessment Development of Pachygrapsus transversus of Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus) in Texas Coastal (, Brachyura) Compared with Other Grapsid Waters. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/fish/ Crabs. Crustaceana. 71(2):200. commercial/comland.phtml.

Forward, R.B.Jr. Tankersley, R.A. Welch, J.M. 2003. Selective Tidal-Stream Transport of the Blue Crab Callinectes Sapidus: An Overview. Bulletin of Marine Science. 72(2):7-51.

King, B. D. 1971. Study of migratory patterns of fish and shellfish through a natural pass. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Technical Series. 9:1-54.

Martin et al. 1988. The Megalopa Stage of the Gulf Stone Crab, Adina. Williams and Felder. With a Comparison of Megalope in the Genus Menippe. Fishery Bulletin: 86(2).

Ogburn, M.B. , Stuck, K.C. , Heard, R.W. , Wang, S.Y. , and Forward R.B. Jr. 2011. Seasonal Variability in Morphology of Blue Crab, Callinectes sapidus, Megalopae and Early Juvenile Stage Crabs, and Distinguishing Characteristics Among Co-Occurring Portunidae. Journal of Biology, 31(1):106- 113.

17 Appendix A

Citizen Science Recruitment Flyer Blue Crab Larva Reserve Citizen Scientists volunteer their time to collect valuable Reserve Citizen Scientists volunteer of blue crab larvae the Mission- data on the movement throughout Aransas Estuary. the UTMSI Pier, Pier, located at the Horace Caldwell Sample sites are and the Goose Island State Park boat launch, Roost Pier, the Heron’s Refuge.Wildlife Aransas National at the at colleen.mccue@utexas. Contact Colleen McCue about the project edu or 361-749-3153. Citizen Science: LarvalCitizen Blue Crab Monitoring

18 Appendix B

Potential Project Expansion

This project could be expanded to include sampling sites at the Reserve System Wide Monitoring Program (SWMP) stations. There are several UTMSI staff members and volunteers from UTMSI that have access to private piers and docks that could be used for sampling. Further details will be required if this portion of the project is initiated. With assistance from researchers at UTMSI, results from this project could be compared to commercial fishery observer’s results. Population models could also be compared to look at rates of mortality between the larval and adult stages of blue crabs. Samples could be used along with the known hydrology of the bay system to estimate total blue crab larvae populations along the Texas coast. There is strong interest to incorporate this study with the key species studied for the Reserve’s Freshwater Inflow project.

19 Appendix C

Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Poster. Provided by Melanie Peel. A volunteer A volunteer L e ft : and a student collect researcher larvae blue crab lement a sett from on located trap pier in a private Texas. Rockport, How? In order to provide data that could help fi in ll the gap help fi could that data provide to In order zen a Citi recruitment, larval about blue crab knowledge on the distributi study to developed was Science Project onal Nati within the Mission-Aransas lement sett of larval are (NERR). Volunteers Reserve Research Estuarine them samples daily and delivering taking for responsible where NERR headquarters, the Mission-Aransas to and larvae blue crab the samples for examine researchers abundance. juvenile Sett lement traps are used to catch blue catch to used are traps lement Sett Above: near the water’s deployed are They larvae. crab rinsed daily from are Larvae 24 hours. for surface on. examinati placed in a tube for and are the trap Monitoring Blue Crab Larvae in the Mission-Aransas NERR in the Mission-Aransas Larvae Blue Crab Monitoring Why? and ecologically commercially are Blue crabs which includes the their range, throughout important seen have including Texas, areas, Many Gulf of Mexico. increased ons despite populati a decline in blue crab the need highlighted ons. Such declines have regulati of this important the ecology er understand bett to about blue le is known vely litt relati species. However, on and habitat or the distributi recruitment larval crab of central in the estuaries crabs use of early juvenile and south Texas. Drawing of blue crab adult (left ) and larval stage stage ) and larval adult (left of blue crab Drawing Above: on of the Integrati courtesy Images (right). as a megalop known for of Maryland Center University on Network, and Applicati Science (ian.umces.edu/symbols/). Environmental

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