Hemigrapsus Sanguineus

RESEARCH

We are a private research laboratory founded in 1988. Our activities include marine research, consulting, and environmental education. We regularly perform studies on water quality, finfish, aquaculture, and benthic invertebrates. The Research Lab has authored studies with organizations such as the UCONN Sea Grant Institute, the National Marine Fisheries Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Southern Connecticut State University, as well as many other public and private entities. All of our lab's scientists have a minimum of a 4 year degree in marine science.

On-Going Research

The CIM Research Lab is involved in research projects involving:

  • Monitoring Basic water quality characteristics (Temperature, Dissolved Oxygen and Salinity) of Clinton Harbor, Long Island Sound.

  • Monitoring yearly trends in winter flounder (Psuedopleuronectes americanus) abundance and distribution within the Cedar Island Marina and adjacent mud flats.

  • Examining the role of the invasive Asian shore crab (Hemigrapus sanguineus) within the subtidal habitat of the Cedar Island Marina.

  • We regularly monitor invertebrate and finfish species that utilize the marina basin and Clinton Harbor.

  • We also work closely with the Clinton Town Shellfish Commission in restoring shellfish species to Clinton Harbor water and inlets.

Abstracts and Publications

  • Pellegrino, P. and M. Mroczka. 1994. Finfish Community of Cedar Island Marina (Clinton, CT): 1989-1991. Long Island Sound Research Conference. Presentation.

  • Pellegrino, P. amd M. Mroczka. 1994. Water Quality Survey of Cedar Island Marina (Clinton, CT): 1989-1991. Long Island Sound Research Conference. Presentation.

  • Mroczka, M, P.W. Dinwoodie, T.A. Randall and P.E. Pellegrino. 1995. Coastal marina basins as potential fishery habitat with special emphasis on nursery function. American Fisheries Society 125th Annual Meeting. Presentation.

  • Pellegrino, P.E., M.E. Mroczka and P.W. Dinwoodie. 1995. Feeding habits of juvenile winter flounder (Pleuronectes americanus) within a coastal marina and adjacent intertidal habitats. American Fisheries Society 125 Annual Meeting. Presentation.

  • Randall, T.A., J.K. Carlson, M.E. Mroczka and P.E. Pellegrino. 1995. Coastal marina basins as potential nursery habitat for juvenile winter flounder (Pleuronectes americanus). Estuarine Research Federation, 13th Biennial International Conference. Presentation.

  • Pellegrino, P.E., M.E. Mroczka, and P.W. Dinwoodie. 1995. Coastal marina basins as potential fishery habitat with special emphasis on nursery function. 2nd Annual Marine and Estuarine Shallow Water Science and Management Conference. Presentation.

  • Pellegrino, P.E., M.E. Mroczka, and P.W. Dinwoodie. 1995. Water Quality Survey of Cedar Island Marina (Clinton, CT) 1989-1991. 2nd Annual Marine and Estuarine Shallow Water Science and Management Conference. Presentation.

  • Mroczka, M.E., P.W. Dinwoodie, P.E. Pellegrino, T.A. Randall, and J.K. Carlson. 1995. Coastal marina basins as potential fishery habitat with special emphasis on nursery function. Proceedings of the 2nd Marine and Estuarine Shallow Water Science and Management Conference. Presentation.

  • Choromanski, J., S. Stiles, D. Schweitzer, M. Mroczka, and P. Dinwoodie. 1996. Comparison of three Long Island Sound sites for the grow-out of bay scallops, Argopecten irradians. 16th Milford Aquaculture Seminar. Poster Presentation.

  • Mroczka, M, P. Dinwoodie, R. Goldberg, J. Pereira, P. Clark, S. Stiles, J. Choromanski and D. Schweitzer. 1996. Culture of the bay scallop, Argopecten irradians, within a small-boat marina on Long Island Sound (Connecticut). NMFS 16th Milford Aquaculture Seminar. Poster Presentation.

  • Mroczka, M.E., T. Casanova, R. Goldberg, J. Pereira, P. Clark, S. Stiles, J. Choromanski, D. Schweitzer and P. Pellegrino. 1996. Culture of the bay scallop, Argopecten irradians within a small-boat marina on Long Island Sound (Connecticut). New England Estuarine Research Society. Presentation.

  • Mroczka, M.E., T. Casanova, P.E. Pellegrino, T.A. Randall and J.K. Carlson. 1996. Feeding habits of juvenile winter flounder (Pleuronectes americanus) within a coastal marina and adjacent intertidal habitats. New England Estuarine Research Society. Presentation.

  • Carlson, J.K., M.E. Mroczka and T.A. Randall. 1998. Feeding habits of winter flounder (Pleuronectes americanus) in a community exposed to anthropogenic disturbance. 4th Marine and Estuarine Shallow Water Science and Management Conference. Presentation.

  • Pellegrino, P.E., P. Festa, and M. Mroczka. 1998. The Living Saltmarsh: an interactive guide to the invertebrates of Connecticut’s tidal wetlands. 4th Marine and Estuarine Shallow Water Science and Management Conference. Presentation.

  • Carlson, J.K., T.A. Randall, and M.E. Mroczka. 1998. Feeding habits of winter flounder (Pleuronectes americanus) in a habitat exposed to anthropogenic disturbance. New England Estuarine Research Society. Presentation.

  • Randall, T.A., J.K. Carlson, and M.E. Mroczka. 1998. Distribution and density of submerged aquatic vegetation beds in a Connecticut Harbor. New England Estuarine Research Society. Presentation.

  • Mroczka, M.E., J.K. Carlson, T.A. Randall, P.E. Pellegrino. 1998. Utilization of Natural Intertidal and Marina Habits by juvenile winter flounder, Pleuronectes americanus. American Fisheries Society, 128th Annual Meeting. Presentation.

  • Pellegrino, P.E., M. Mroczka, and T. Casanova. 1998. The Living Seashore: An interactive multimedia guide to the invertebrates of Hammonasset State Park (Madison, CT). NMFS Flatfish Biology Conference. Presentation.

  • Mroczka, M.E., T. Casanova, T.A. Randall, J.K. Carlson, and P.E. Pellegrino. 1998. Coastal marina basins as potential fishery habitat with special emphasis on nursery function. NMFS Flatfish Biology Conference. Presentation.

  • Mroczka, M.E., J.K. Carlson, T.A. Randall, and P.E. Pellegrino. 1998. Utilization of intertidal and marina habitats by juvenile winter flounder, Pleuronectes americanus. Long Island Sound Research Conference. Presentation.

  • Mroczka, M.E., T.A. Randall, J.K. Carlson. 1998. Distribution and density of submerged aquatic vegetation beds in a Connecticut harbor. Long Island Sound Research Conference. Presentation.

  • Pellegrino, P.E., P. Festa, M. Mroczka. 1998. The Living Saltmarsh: An interactive guide to the invertebrates of Connecticut’s tidal wetlands.

  • Sunila, I., J. Karolus, S. Czyzyk, E. Lang, M. Mroczka and K. Rivera. 1999. Disease-Resistant Oysters, Crassostrea virginica, in Long Island Sound. NMFS 19th Milford Aquaculture Seminar. Presentation.

  • Casanova, T. 2000. The ecology of the Japanese shore crab (Hemigrapsus sanguineus) and its niche relationship to the green crab (Carcinus maenus) along the coast of Connecticut, U.S.A. 5th Annual Estuarine and Shallow Water Conference. Oral Presentation.

  • Casanova, T. 2000. The ecology of the Japanese shore crab (Hemigrapsus sanguineus) and its niche relationship to the green crab (Carcinus maenus) along the coast of Connecticut, U.S.A. American Fisheries Society. Oral Presentation.

  • Casanova, T., and M. Gilman. 2006. Subtidal Population Distribution of Hemigrapsus sanguineus in Clinton Harbor, CT. New England Estuarine Research Society. Poster Presentation.

  • Gilman, M., and T. Casanova. 2006. Subtidal population distribution of Hemigrapsus sanguineus in Clinton Harbor, CT. 7th Shallow Water Science and Management Conference. Poster Presentation.

  • Gilman, M., and S.P. Grace. 2008. Population and diet change in a Long Island Sound subtidal community after 18 years. Benthic Ecology Meeting. Poster Presentation.

Published Manuscripts

  • Carlson, J.K., T.A. Randall, and M.E. Mroczka. 1997. Feeding habits of winter flounder (Pleuronectes americanus) in a habitat exposed to anthropogenic disturbance. Journal of Northwest Atlantic Fishery Science. 21:65-73.

  • Randall, T.A., J.K. Carlson, and M.E. Mroczka. 1999. Distribution and density of submerged aquatic vegetation beds in a Connecticut harbor. Rhodora 101(905):40-45.

  • Sunila, I., J. Karolus, E.P. Lang, M.E. Mroczka, and J. Volk. 2000. Transmission of the haplosporidian parasite MSX Haplosporidian nelsoni to the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica in an upweller system. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 42:153-155.

Unpublished Manuscripts, Reports and Theses

  • Pellegrino at al. 1989 diel water quality survey. For Complete Viewing Click Here

  • Pellegrino at al. 1990 diel water quality survey. For Complete Viewing Click Here

  • Pellegrino at al. 1992 diel water quality survey. For Complete Viewing Click Here

  • Pellegrino at al. 1993 diel water quality survey. For Complete Viewing Click Here

  • Gilman et al. 2007 diel water quality survey. For Complete Viewing Click Here

  • Pellegrino, P.E., and R.S. DeSanto. 1990. A biological monitoring program of Cedar Island Marina and Clinton Harbor (Clinton, CT): Nekton. Technical Report. East Lyme, CT. Environmental Stewardship Foundation. 71pp. For Complete Viewing Click Here

  • Sibley, F., N. Proctor, and M.E. Mroczka. 1991. A birding survey of Cedar Island Marina Inc. (1989-1990). Cedar Island Marina Laboratory Press. 27pp. For Complete Viewing Click Here

  • Mroczka, M.E. 1991. An investigation of the finfish utilization of a coastal marina basin with special emphasis on the winter flounder (Pleuronectes americanus). Thesis. Southern Connecticut State University. 86pp.

  • Pellegrino, P.E., M.E. Mroczka, T.A. Randall, S.J. Cappella, J.K. Carlson, and D.T. Canny. Biological Monitoring of Cedar Island Marina Basin: 1989 Diel Water Quality Survey. Cedar Island Marina Research Laboratory Press. 156pp.

  • Pellegrino, P.E., M.E. Mroczka, D.T. Canny, T.A. Randall, S.J. Capella, J.K. Carlson, and P.W. Dinwoodie. 1994. Biological Monitoring of Cedar Island Marina Basin: 1990 Diel Water Quality Survey. Cedar Island Marina Research Laboratory Press 282 pp.

  • Pellegrino, P.E., M.E. Mroczka, P.W. Dinwoodie, D.T. Canny, and T.A. Randall. 1994. Biological Monitoring of Cedar Island Marina Basin: 1991 Diel Water Quality Survey. Cedar Island Marina Research Laboratory Press. 276pp.

  • Pellegrino, P.E., M.E. Mroczka, P.W. Dinwoodie, and T.A. Randall. 1994. Biological monitoring of Cedar Island Marina Basin: 1992 Diel Water Quality Survey. Cedar Island Marina Research Laboratory Press. 212pp.

  • Mroczka, M., P. Pellegrino, T. Casanova, and P. Dinwoodie. 1997. Biological monitoring of Cedar Island Marine basin: 1993 Diel Water Quality Survey. Cedar Island Marina Research Laboratory Press. 237pp.

  • Casanova, T. 2001. The ecology of the Japanese Shore crab (Hemigrapsus sanguineus de Haan) along the coast of Connecticut, United States of America. Thesis. Southern Connecticut State University. 88pp.

  • Gilman, M., B. Patrizzi, T. Massari, and H. Craig. 2008. Biological monitoring of Cedar Island Marina basin: 2007 Diel Water Quality Survey. Cedar Island Marina Research Laboratory Press. 262pp.

  • Gilman, M. 2008. Diet and Population Change in a Long Island Sound Subtidal Community After 18 Years. Thesis. Southern Connecticut State University. 89pp.

  • Gilman, M., and S.P. Grace. 2008. Use of Subtidal Habitat by the Asian shore crab Hemigrapsus sanguineus in Long Island Sound. In Review.

  • Gilman, M., S. Grace, T. Massari, and B. Patrizzi. 2008. Abundance and Diet of the Winter Flounder Pseudopleuronectes americanus in a Long Island Sound Boat Marina. National Marine Fisheres Flatfish Conference. Poster Presentation.

  • Patrizzi, B., and S. Grace. 2009. The Diet and Distribution of the Scleractinian Coral Astrangia poculata in Long Island Sound. Benthic Ecology Meeting. Poster Presentation.