Juvenile Blue Crab Survival Across Habitats and Sizes

A. Challen Hyman published a dataset quantifying size-specific survival of juvenile blue crabs across three habitats via a manipulative tethering experiment. The data was collected in the York River, Chesapeake Bay, USA, accounting for spatial orientation, seasonality, and turbidity. Results were analyzed using Bayesian hierarchical logistic regression models to reveal survival interactions between crab size and habitat.

Use Cases

• Model survival probability as a function of crab carapace width and habitat type using Bayesian logistic regression.
• Analyze the interaction effect between habitat (seagrass, salt marsh edge, sand) and crab size on survival outcomes.
• Compare seasonal variation in survival rates across the three structured and unstructured habitats.
• Validate observed patterns of size-specific habitat use in juvenile blue crabs against experimental survival and growth data.

Strengths

• Data derived from a manipulative field experiment designed to test specific ecological hypotheses.
• Analysis employs Bayesian hierarchical logistic regression, providing a robust statistical framework.
• Study accounts for multiple covariates: crab size, habitat type, seasonality, and spatial orientation.

Limitations

• Dataset is small (1.6 MB), likely containing summary or model results rather than raw, high-volume observation data.
• Geographic scope is limited to a single estuary system (York River, Chesapeake Bay).
• Raw data rows and columns are unknown, limiting assessment of sample size and feature granularity.

Provenance

Source

A. Challen Hyman via figshare.

Collection Method

Manipulative tethering field experiment.

Time Range

null

Freshness

Last updated March 2026.

Geography

York River, Chesapeake Bay, USA.