The Little Lobster That Reveals Climate

TL;DR

Tens of thousands of pelagic red crabs, also known as tuna crabs, washed up on the shores of Monterey Bay, signaling unusual ocean and climate patterns.

Transcript

Thanks to the Monterey Bay Aquarium for partnering with us on this episode. We hope you learn something crabulous! [♪ INTRO] This beach isn’t normally red. You are looking at tens of thousands of pelagic red crabs that washed up on the shores of Monterey Bay. They’re also known as tuna crabs because tunas love to snack on them, but these crimson cr... Read More

Key Insights

• 🦀 Pelagic red crabs, also known as tuna crabs, are squat lobsters that live in the upper part of the open ocean.
• 🌊 Their movements are linked to ocean and climate patterns, particularly following areas of upwelling where nutrient-rich water is brought to the surface.
• 😪 Mass strandings of red crabs on beaches are often associated with climate events like El Niño, as warm ocean currents carry them northwards.
• 💱 Changes in ocean temperature due to marine heatwaves are causing red crabs to shift their distribution, indicating the impact of climate change on marine ecosystems.

Questions & Answers

Q: How do pelagic red crabs move with ocean currents?

Pelagic red crabs move with ocean currents, especially during stages of their lives when they are in the upper surface layer of the ocean. They use their tails and legs to propel themselves backward, but their swimming ability is limited, particularly when they are young.

Q: What causes mass strandings of red crabs on beaches?

Mass strandings of red crabs are often caused by strong ocean currents that carry them northwards. These currents are associated with climate events like El Niño, where warm currents flow from South America towards the California coast, causing hordes of crabs to wash up on shore.

Q: How do red crabs indicate changing ocean habitats?

The increasing frequency of red crab strandings is a clear signal that the ocean is being altered. These strandings, occurring more frequently in recent years, indicate changes in ocean habitats and can serve as indicators for scientists studying the effects of climate change on marine ecosystems.

Q: How do changes in ocean temperature affect red crab distribution?

Changes in ocean temperature, such as marine heatwaves, can cause red crabs to shift their distribution. Warmer waters can carry them northwards, sometimes as far as Oregon. The frequency of these events is expected to increase due to climate change, leading to further shifts in coastal animal and plant communities.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Pelagic red crabs, resembling flattened lobsters, are crab relatives that live in the epipelagic zone or upper part of the open ocean.

• Their movements are linked to ocean and climate patterns, often following the upwelling of nutrient-rich water.

• Mass strandings of red crabs on beaches are linked to large-scale climate events like El Niño, and they can also be indicators of changing ocean habitats due to marine heatwaves.