Carapace Morphological Characteristics of Chinese Mitten Crab (Eriocheir sinensis) from Emerging Origins Revealed via Geometric Morphometrics.

Abstract

This study used geometric morphometrics to investigate the carapace features of Chinese mitten crabs (Eriocheir sinensis) from non-traditional/emerging origins (Zhenlai County and Bosten Lake) and identify differences in features relative to crabs from traditional origins (Yangcheng Lake). Thirty-five landmark data points on the crab carapace were extracted based on the geometric morphometrics landmark point approach and standardized to obtain the mean shape of the crabs from the three origins. The carapace morphologies of crabs from the three different origins varied. Compared to the average morphology, the first lateral tooth of the carapace of the Zhenlai crab was shorter, and the M pattern was enlarged in males, whereas the first and second lateral teeth of the crabs from the other two origins were longer, and the M pattern was reduced. In female crabs, distinct morphological variations were observed across regions. In Zhenlai crabs, the lateral teeth were shorter, and the M pattern was enlarged. In Bosten crabs, the frontal tooth was shorter, the first and second lateral teeth were longer, and the posterior carapace margin was narrowed. In Yangcheng Lake crabs, the frontal and third lateral teeth were elongated, and the M pattern was narrowed. The discrimination accuracy of individual female and male crabs from different origins reached 100%. The results confirm that the carapace geometric morphometric method represents a convenient and non-lethal method of tracing E. sinensis origins in fine-scale production areas. Thus, this study provides guidance on developing a characteristic industrial chain for aquatic products of emerging origins, which may help to promote the sustainable development of the aquaculture industry in associated areas.