Behavioral Ecology of Podding Red King Crab, Paralithodes camtschatica

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Abstract
Diel activity cycles and foraging dynamics for two pods of 500-800 juvenile red king crab, Paralithodes camtschatica, were monitored for 196 d. (Nov. 1987-June 1988) and 148 d. (Oct. 1988-Feb. 1989) in Womans Bay, Kodiak, Alaska, using SCUBA. Nocturnal foraging and homing behavior of podding red king crab were documented for the first time. Variation in time of pod dispersal into a nightly foraging aggregation was explained (R2 = 0.72) by changes in water temperature, crab weight, and time of sunset. A trend of increased foraging time and movement to deeper, cooler water was apparent after mid-April, as water temperatures reached 4.degree.C and began a sustained summer increase. Molting occurred only at night, and seasonal variations in molting rate were estimated using molting probability models based on length-frequency distributions. Average pod movement was counter to the direction of strongest water currents, and homing behavior suggested some affinity for a low-light environment in man-made niches. Items most frequently eaten were sea stars (Evasterias troschelii) and macrophytes (Laminaria sp. and Ulva sp.). I discuss the inception of podding as a discontinuity in behavior, perhaps reflecting a break in the fractal continuum of niche availability within red king crab habitat.

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