The presence of the blue crab Callinectes sapidus has been recorded late in
the 2000s in the lagoons of Amvrakikos Gulf. Ninety four individuals from Pogonitsa
lagoon (Amvrakikos Gulf, Western Greece) have been observed and measured during
August 2016. Based on biometric and biological features, these crabs were mature
while most of the females were ovigenous in various eggs age since extrusion. The
estimated ages of the animals and the fecundity were in agreement with those that are
reported in native and/or in well-established regions of species. The population of the
blue crab seems to be increasing and can be considered as established in Pogonitsa
lagoon as well as in other lagoons of Gulf.
Keywords: Amvrakikos Gulf, Blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, Invasive species,
Ionian Sea.
