Jessica is one of a group of students working with Dr. Pedro Quijon on an invasive species to PEI’s coastal waters, the green crab. As this crab spreads rapidly along coastal Prince Edward Island, it is expected to have an impact on native organisms and habitats. The Quijon lab has been investigating effects of green crab on eelgrass, on small marine organisms on which it feeds, and on other crab species.
Jessica’s summer research has focussed on the ability of green crabs to eat the smaller native mud crabs, and to compare the feeding on the mud crabs with the tendency of the green crabs to also feed on small individuals of their own species (in other words, cannibalism). She collected these animals from the field and then observed them in aquaria to see their interactions. She put large green crabs (from 6-8 cm across) together with small (about 3 cm wide) mud crabs and green crabs to see whether the large crabs had a preference for either potential food species. She then measured how many were eaten and also looked at whether the large crabs showed a faster response to the mud crabs or to the smaller green crabs. Her work will help researchers to understand the overall impact that the invasive crab might have on PEI native species.
Student Research