**Biology A495A: Internship in Biological Sciences Kodiak College.**

**Biology Internship with the Alaska Fisheries Science Center, NMFS,
NOAA Kodiak, AK.** **Fall 2006. December 14, 2006.**

> ![](media/image1.jpeg){width="1.6666666666666667in" height="1.375in"}
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> **Tabitha Hughes**

**Instructor: Dr. Cindy Trussell, Kodiak College**

**Mentor: Scott Van Sant, AFSC, NMFS, NOAA Kodiak**

![](media/image3.jpeg){width="1.625in" height="1.3930555555555555in"}On
December 14, 2006, I fulfilled the requirements of my federal internship
with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) in conjunction with
the National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration (NOAA). The primary
focus of the internship was concerned with studies of the reproduction
biology and embryonic development of golden king crab (*Lithodes
aequispinus).* Research was conducted in the Alaska Fisheries Science
Center's 2500sq.ft. seawater laboratory located in the Kodiak Fisheries
Resource Center. During this internship, I was given proper instruction
and guidance by Scott Van Sant on the reproduction, embryonic
development, larval cultivation, and juvenile growth of the golden king
crab (GKC). With this guidance, I was able to achieve a greater
understanding of scientific techniques and witnessed firsthand how the
scientific method is applied to the research process.

![](media/image6.jpeg){width="1.625in" height="1.2215277777777778in"}The
duration of this internship was based on acquiring a greater
understanding of the life history characteristics of the GKC. Upon first
entering the program, I was given literature on GKC anatomy and
physiology, reproduction, and larval cultivation. During the week of
September 4, 2006, both male and female GKC were collected via traps
from the Bering Sea. On September 23, 2006, they were shipped live from
Dutch Harbor and arrived safely in Kodiak, AK. Scott Van Sant and I
transported them to the laboratory where they were tagged and each
individual's measurements, weights, and reproductive condition were
recorded.

![](media/image7.jpeg){width="1.625in" height="1.3909722222222223in"}In
Alaskan waters golden king crab (*Lithodes aequispinus*) occur in rocky
habitats in deep waters of the Aleutian Islands, Bering Sea, and Gulf of
Alaska (Donaldson and Byersdorfer, 2005). Females carry their eggs on
their abdomen for 12 months and spawn year round. The larvae go through
four zoeal stages and one glaucothoe stage. They are lecithotrophic or
'yolk-bearing' therefore do not feed during larval development.

![](media/image8.jpeg){width="1.625in" height="1.21875in"}I was
instructed on the techniques of recording data concerning embryonic
development, and the applications of digital photomicroscopy and image
analysis. The embryonic development study began with the extraction of
20-30 fertilized embryos at timed intervals for the duration of the
embryo stage. Embryonic development takes approximately a year to
complete; I was witness to a fraction of this. Half of the embryos were
examined live, and the remaining where placed in a fixative and stain
called Bouin's solution for 5 minutes. At that time, the stained embryos
were placed on a slide in filtered seawater and examined under a
dissecting microscope at 4X magnification. Digital photomicroscopy was
used to record the images and image analysis software was then applied
to record the area (A), maximum diameter (L), minimum diameter (W), and
mean diameter (based on a number of perimeter measurements) of each
developing embryo. The same digital photomicroscopy and image analysis
techniques were applied to estimate hatching on the more developed
embryos. During the last few months of development the increase in body
size of the embryo and the decrease in yolk area can be monitored to
predict hatching. These larvae hatched are then collected live and used
for cultivation experiments. These embryos hatch with approximately 55%
yolk as compared to red and blue king crab which hatch with
approximately 12% (Scott Van Sant, pers. com., 2006). This
lecithotrophic or 'yolk nourishing' feeding mode is prevalent throughout
all of their larval stages and therefore they do not require food or
plankton in the open ocean or during cultivation studies unlike the
planktonotrophic red and blue king crab.

Through Kodiak College, I participated in cultivation studies earlier in
the year with a previous batch of GKC larvae. Later, I assisted with the
care and feeding of 100 juvenile GKC for a study that compared growth
and survival fed different diets. During this internship I also
preformed water quality tests that measured the levels of ammonia and
nitrate in rearing tanks. General husbandry of the golden and red king
crab was also done on a daily basis. These duties included feeding, tank
or equipment cleaning, sterilization of seawater, and the maintenance of
experiments.

Previous biology coursework, internships, and employment within a
laboratory environment contributed to my understanding of laboratory
procedures with NMFS/NOAA. My understanding in the research process has
improved greatly upon entering this program, and I look forward to
participating in a future research internship to further my education in
the field of biology.

**References**

Donaldson, W.E. and S.C. Byersdorfer, 2005. Biological field techniques
for lithodid crabs. Alaska Sea Grant College Program, University of
Alaska. AK-SG-05-03. 82 pp.

Van Sant, S.B. 2006. Personal communications. AFSC/NMFS/NOAA Kodiak, AK.