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Litter in alien species of possible commercial interest: The blue crab (Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896) as case study
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Researchers examined blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) from an Italian lagoon and detected plastic fragments and synthetic fibers including polyethylene and PET in stomach contents, with microplastic fibers such as nylon and polyester also found in female gonad tissue, suggesting this invasive species can serve as a pollution indicator.
Marine litter levels were measured in the stomach contents, hepatopancreas, and gonad tissues of crustacea decapod (Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896; n = 6), a widespread alien species affecting the Lesina lagoon. Results highlight a mean of 2.5 (SD = 1.6) items/animal and indicate the presence of metals fragments (13%) and plastics (13% PE; 6.7% PET) in the stomach contents of collected individuals. No microplastic particles were detected in the hepatopancreas or in muscle tissue, while microplastic fibres (nylon, rayon, polyester) were found present in female specimen gonads. The presence of synthetic fibres in the investigated species reflects the relative contamination level in this habitat type and suggests that the blue crab could be considered a model organism for evaluating the contamination status of the study area.
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Researchers used the invasive Atlantic blue crab as a microplastic sentinel in a Mediterranean lagoon, finding an average of 17 MPs per individual — dominated by polypropylene and polyethylene fragments in the 100–299 µm range — with the hepatopancreas accumulating the highest concentrations compared to muscle and gills.
Ingestion of microplastics and microfibers by the invasive blue crab Callinectes sapidus (Rathbun 1896) in the Balearic Islands, Spain
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Researchers examined the stomach contents of 120 invasive blue crabs collected from the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea and found that nearly 66% contained microplastics or microfibers. The most common particles were fibers, with an average of 1.4 particles per individual. The study highlights the widespread ingestion of microplastics by this invasive species and raises concerns about contaminant transfer through marine food webs.
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Scientists found tiny plastic fibers in the guts and gills of blue crabs from an Italian lagoon, but not in the muscle meat people actually eat. This is good news for crab lovers, though researchers say more testing across seasons and locations is needed before we know how widespread this pollution really is.
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Researchers examined microplastic content in the stomach contents of Cronius ruber, an invasive crab species in Mediterranean waters, finding plastic particles — primarily fibers — in the animals. The presence of microplastics in invasive crab species adds to the evidence that plastic ingestion is widespread across marine crustaceans in contaminated coastal waters.
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