Data on the distribution, population structure and establishment of the invasive blue crab Callinectes sapidus Rathbun,1896 (Decapoda, Brachyura, Portunidae) in the Lagoon of Viluni (South-East Adriatic Sea, Albania)

Ermira Milori*, Liljana Qorri, Eliana Ibrahimi, Sajmir Beqiraj

Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tirana, Bulevardi Zog I, 25/1, 1001 Tirana, Albania

*Corresponding author e-mail : ermiramilori@gmail.com

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Abstract

The invasive blue crab Callinectes sapidus has been largely distributed along the Adriatic coast of Albania during the recent years. The aim of the present study is to provide data on the distribution, assessment of the abundance, the structure and biometric characteristics of the `blue crab population in Viluni Lagoon. The data presented in this paper has been collected during 2014 – 2015. Besides direct observation and samples, collection in the studied area, questionnaires have also been distributed to the local fishermen with the purpose of gathering information about the presence of the blue crab, assessment of its state and its possible impact on the other populations in the Viluni Lagoon, as this species seems to be already established in this lagoon.

Keywords: blue crab, invasive species, Viluni Lagoon, Adriatic Sea.

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