The molt cycle of the crab, Cancer antennarius: Computer‐aided staging

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Abstract
Some stages of the molting cycle are not readily discernible in large crustaceans, if classical staging methods are employed. Alternative methods were explored. A statistical classification procedure used in numerical taxonomy, multiple discriminant analysis, was applied to 26 variables measured in crabs (Cancer antennarius) of known stages. Variables were tested systematically for discriminant capacity singly, in pairs, and in linear combinations. A set of 12 variables was found that discriminates stages accurately and efficiently. The variables are physical in character, highly accessible, and easily measured; the required data can be collected routinely before, during, or after an experiment. The method can be applied to staging other species.