Pinnotheres hickmani (Guiler) in Wild and Cultured Mytilus edulis in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria

Abstract

Populations of pea crabs, P. hickmani, from wild and cultured mussels within Port Phillip Bay are compared. The post-planktonic life cycle is found to be similar to that of P. pisum. Crabs from cultured mussels mature more rapidly than those from wild mussels. The growth of the crab is directly related to the growth of the host. It is suggested that a two-host life cycle may be necessary, that the soft adult male form is an intermoult condition, and that the crabs show no tidal preference in invading hosts.