Occurrence data of the Atlantic Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus, Rathbun, 1896) Indicates that a New Indwelled is Settling in the Black Sea

Abstract

It is remarkable that blue crabs have been encountered frequently in recent years, especially on the southern coast of the Black Sea, after it was first reported in 1968. Reporting of three new records for blue crabs was tried to identify suitable areas for possible blue crab distribution in the Black Sea based on environmental variables, and past occurrence records. Ecological niche modeling was applied for this and the most contributing environmental variables were determined as maximum bathymetry, maximum mean salinity, and nitrate. It turned out that especially shallow areas on the coast of the Black Sea can be suitable habitats for blue crabs.