Growth of Postsettlement Juveniles of the Florida Stone Crab, Menippe Mercenaria (Say) (Decapoda: Xanthidae), in the Laboratory

We combined relevant data from three laboratory studies to define molt increment and intermolt period of post settlement (10.4 mm CW). Within a size class, estimates of mean, median, and maximum intermolt periods generally were not significantly different from corresponding values for the three determinants calculated using the observed intermolt periods. However, summing the size-specific intermolt period values to calculate age resulted in disparities among the six estimates of age at the end of instar 11. Nevertheless, our analyses suggest that under normal salinity and temperature conditions in Florida, postsettlement juvenile M. mercenaria may require up to 12 months to complete growth to approximately 10 mm CW.