Chinese Mitten Crab (Eriocheir sinensis)
Native range: They are typically found on the coast of China and Korea.
Invasive range: They have been mainly found in the Northeastern U.S., as well as in California.
Method of introduction: Chinese mitten crabs, like other invasive aquatic invertebrates, are thought to have been introduced to the U.S. through ballast water. They also may have been intentionally introduced for commercial purposes.
Impacts: Chinese mitten crabs have been known to compete with native species, especially crayfish, as well as prey on the eggs of native fish species. They can burrow in the ground, increasing erosion on river banks. They also have harsh economic impacts, from damaging fishing equipment to disrupting fish salvaging operations. Additionally, they are a vector for the oriental lung fluke, a parasite that affects humans.
Identification: The Chinese mitten crab has hairy front claws that resemble mittens, which is where they acquired their name. They typically have a notch between their eyes and have bodies less than 3 inches wide when fully grown. Typically they are light brown in color.
Methods of control: It is difficult to deal with populations once they have been established, so preventative measures are often the most effective method of control. Capturing individuals does not seem to have much of an impact on the overall population, but perhaps targeting them for commercial fishing and consumption could be a possible solution for reducing their impact.
Invasive range: They have been mainly found in the Northeastern U.S., as well as in California.
Method of introduction: Chinese mitten crabs, like other invasive aquatic invertebrates, are thought to have been introduced to the U.S. through ballast water. They also may have been intentionally introduced for commercial purposes.
Impacts: Chinese mitten crabs have been known to compete with native species, especially crayfish, as well as prey on the eggs of native fish species. They can burrow in the ground, increasing erosion on river banks. They also have harsh economic impacts, from damaging fishing equipment to disrupting fish salvaging operations. Additionally, they are a vector for the oriental lung fluke, a parasite that affects humans.
Identification: The Chinese mitten crab has hairy front claws that resemble mittens, which is where they acquired their name. They typically have a notch between their eyes and have bodies less than 3 inches wide when fully grown. Typically they are light brown in color.
Methods of control: It is difficult to deal with populations once they have been established, so preventative measures are often the most effective method of control. Capturing individuals does not seem to have much of an impact on the overall population, but perhaps targeting them for commercial fishing and consumption could be a possible solution for reducing their impact.
Resources:
- Benson, A. J., and Fuller, P.L.. 2019 Mar 8. Eriocheir sinensis. U.S. Geological Survey: Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database. [accessed 2019 April 6]. https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?speciesID=182.
- California's Invaders: Chinese Mitten Crab. California Department of Fish and Wildlife. [accessed 2019 April 8]. https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Invasives/Species/Mitten-Crab.
- Chinese Mitten Crab. U.S. Department of Agriculture [accessed 2019 April 8]. https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/profile/chinese-mitten-crab.
- Cohen, A.N. and Weinstein, A.. 2001 Nov. The Potential Distribution of Chinese Mitten Crabs (Eriocheir sinensis) in Selected Waters of the Western United States with U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Facilities. Tracy Fish Collection Facilities Studies 21:1-65. [accessed 2019 April 8]. https://www.usbr.gov/mp/TFFIP/docs/tracy-reports/tracy-rpt-vol-21-potential-distrib-chinese-mitten-crabs.pdf.
- 2019. Species profile: Eriocheir sinensis. Global Invasive Species Database. [accessed 2019 April 8]. http://www.iucngisd.org/gisd/species.php?sc=38.
Images Courtesy of:
1. California's Invaders: Chinese Mitten Crab. California Department of Fish and Wildlife. [accessed 2019 April 8]. https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Invasives/Species/Mitten-Crab.
2. California Department of Fish and Game. Accessed from: Eriocheir sinensis. National Exotic Marine and Estuarine Species Information System. [accessed 2019 May 7]. http://invasions.si.edu/nemesis/CH-INV.jsp?Species_name=Eriocheir+sinensis
1. California's Invaders: Chinese Mitten Crab. California Department of Fish and Wildlife. [accessed 2019 April 8]. https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Invasives/Species/Mitten-Crab.
2. California Department of Fish and Game. Accessed from: Eriocheir sinensis. National Exotic Marine and Estuarine Species Information System. [accessed 2019 May 7]. http://invasions.si.edu/nemesis/CH-INV.jsp?Species_name=Eriocheir+sinensis