The Craboratory

The Craboratory We are a research laboratory at The University of Southern Mississippi, based at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory.

Our research focuses on behavior, ecology, and fisheries of crabs and other crustaceans.

For our first , meet Hailee Nigro a third year PhD Candidate from Tampa, FL. Her research focuses on temperature depend...
09/16/2024

For our first , meet Hailee Nigro a third year PhD Candidate from Tampa, FL. Her research focuses on temperature dependent growth, size at maturity, and reproduction of blue crabs with population-level and fisheries implications in the Gulf of Mexico.

"The Craboratory wouldn't be what it is without passion and fun. We love what we do, we want to learn and understand - And we find ways to do so while laughing and embracing all the aspects of science."

Today was an exciting day here at the Craboratory! Three of the local commercial crabbers who have collaborated with USM...
08/01/2024

Today was an exciting day here at the Craboratory! Three of the local commercial crabbers who have collaborated with USM for many years came to campus for a tour of our lab and to see the wonderful research being done. They always teach us so much, so it was our turn to return the favor! 🦀

Since May, we've tagged and released nearly 300 mature female blue crabs around the MS barrier islands. If you catch one...
09/29/2021

Since May, we've tagged and released nearly 300 mature female blue crabs around the MS barrier islands. If you catch one, please report it and claim your reward.

We had a stowaway on the Thalinectes this week, enjoying the ride to Horn Island.
09/28/2021

We had a stowaway on the Thalinectes this week, enjoying the ride to Horn Island.

Water spout at the Chandeleur Islands.
08/11/2021

Water spout at the Chandeleur Islands.

Graduate student Matt Byrnes pulls in a crab trap at Horn Island. The barrier islands on the south side of Mississippi S...
07/28/2021

Graduate student Matt Byrnes pulls in a crab trap at Horn Island. The barrier islands on the south side of Mississippi Sound are important spawning habitat for female blue crabs. We sample at the islands monthly to estimate crab abundance and reproductive output.

07/18/2021

Two male Uca pugilator fight for a burrow. While they are fighting, a third male comes in and steals the burrow (1:40-2:00).

07/17/2021

When feeding, fiddler crabs feed use their small claws to move sediment to their mouthparts where organic matter is removed and consumed. Cleaned sediment is formed into a ball and, using a claw, placed back on the sediment surface.

Wakulla Beach, FL
07/16/2021

Wakulla Beach, FL

USM Ph.D. student Zac Lane is studying the structure of the burrows used by mating fiddler crabs. After removing the cra...
07/13/2021

USM Ph.D. student Zac Lane is studying the structure of the burrows used by mating fiddler crabs. After removing the crab from the burrow, Zac uses expanding foam to make a cast of the burrow. He is then able to photograph and measure burrow shape and structure. These are two views of a recent burrow cast.

Fiddler crabs are deposit feeders, eating organic matter (algae, bacteria, detritus, etc.) in the sediment. At low tide,...
07/13/2021

Fiddler crabs are deposit feeders, eating organic matter (algae, bacteria, detritus, etc.) in the sediment. At low tide, large numbers of fiddler crabs can be found in the low intertidal zone, where the receding tide has deposited large amounts of organic matter.

07/12/2021

Even when no female is nearby, males continue to wave (although less vigorously) in hopes of catching the attention of any distant females. This is the same male as in the previous waving video.

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703 E. Beach Drive
Ocean Springs, MS
39564

Telephone

+18006242857

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