From non-tidal to tidal environments: movement behaviour of Chinese mitten crabs on downstream spawning migration

The Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) is a widespread species that is both threatened and commercially valuable in its native range, but considered invasive in various other parts of the world. Being catadromous, their downstream spawning migration to the sea marks the crucial final step in their life. Yet, little is known about their behaviour during this migration.

In this study we investigated the migration of mitten crabs from non-tidal freshwater rivers to the tidal estuarine mouth over a distance of 125 km using acoustic telemetry. During a three-year period, a total of 34 adult mitten crabs were equipped with acoustic tags. Six were equipped with tags that also had an accelerometer and pressure sensor to record the activity and depth of the crabs.

All mitten crabs migrated downstream, primarily residing within the deeper parts of the rivers. They were detected until the border between the mesohaline and polyhaline zone of the estuary, suggesting that this area serves as their spawning habitat. Migration speeds were significantly higher in non-tidal freshwater rivers (on average 4.65 ± 3.51 km day^-1, range: 0.06-15.37 km day^-1) compared to the tidal estuary (on average 1.29 ± 1.22 km day^-1, range: 0.05-8.19 km day^-1). Mitten crabs migrated primarily during the darker hours of the day, however this pattern diminished in the estuary. In tidal rivers migratory activity was largely driven by the tidal cycle, with crabs selectively moving downstream during the ebb tide. No behavioural differences between male and female crabs were observed.

During their spawning migration, adult mitten crabs reveal movement behaviour that maximises their fitness. In shallow non-tidal rivers, migrating at night likely reduces predation risk. In tidal rivers, this behaviour largely disappears, which could be linked to increased depth and turbidity, or the prevalence of the tidal migration cue. Based on detection and acceleration data, this study provides the first evidence that adult mitten crabs use selective tidal stream transport during their migration. As a slow-moving species, this behaviour helps to preserve energy for spawning during the challenging final phase of their life cycle.