Population biology of Uca mordax (Smith, 1870) (Crustacea,Decapoda, Ocypodidae) from the southeastern coast of Brazil
Estudos De Biologia
Population biology of Uca mordax (Smith, 1870) (Crustacea,Decapoda, Ocypodidae) from the southeastern coast of Brazil
Palavras-chave: Fiddler crab. Maturity sexual. Recruitment. Sex ratio. Size distribution frequency.
Resumos Cadastrados
Resumo Inglês:
The population biology of the fi ddler crab Uca mordax (Smith, 1870) was investigated in an estuarinemangrove from the southeastern coast of Brazil. Samplings were monthly performed by 2 collectors for30 min. using the technique of capture per unit effort during low tide periods. The allometric techniquewas used to determine crab size at sexual maturity (males and females). Thus, specimens were classifi edinto juveniles and adults according to their size at sexual maturity for each sex. The specimens weredistributed into size classes. Recruitment was based on the juvenile frequency and the reproduction peakin ovigerous females. The median size of males was 15.9 ± 2.7 mm carapace width (CW) (n = 557) andthat of females, 14.6 ± 2.8 mm CW (n = 528). At sexual maturity, size of crabs was 11.9 mm CW formales and 11.5 mm CW for females. Juveniles were found throughout the year but more frequently inthe winter and autumn. Sex ratio did not differ among seasons, except during the summer (p < 0.05).As regards sex ratio per size class, females predominated in the fi rst size classes. Reproduction peakwas observed in the summer. In short, the population biology of U. mordax was similar to that of mostbroad-front fi ddler crab species.
