Fecundity, reproductive seasonality and maturation size of Callinectes sapidus females (Decapoda: Portunidae) in the Southeast coast of Brazil

Fecundity, reproductive seasonality and maturation size of Callinectes sapidus females (Decapoda: Portunidae) in the Southeast coast of Brazil

C sapidus fisheries has a significant influence on the economy of some countries in North America and has a relative extensive literature in these regions. However, only few papers discuss the ecology of C. sapidus in the South Atlantic, despite its economic importance in that region. We studied the...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Revista de biología tropical Vol. 61; no. 2; pp. 595 - 602
Main Authors: Severino-Rodrigues, Evandro, Musiello-Fernandes, Joelson, Moura, Alvaro A S, Branco, Geisa M P, Canéo, Victor O C
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Costa Rica Universidad de Costa Rica 01-06-2013
Subjects:
Animals
Atlantic Ocean
Biodiversity Conservation
Biology
biología reproductiva
Brachyura - growth & development
Brachyura - physiology
Brazil
estuario
Female
Fertility - physiology
Gonads - growth & development
jaiba azul
Pregnancy
recurso pesquero
Reproduction - physiology
Seasons
Brazil
Atlantic Ocean
Brasil
reproductive biology
estuario
fisheries resource
blue crab
jaiba azul
biología reproductiva
recurso pesquero
estuarine
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:C sapidus fisheries has a significant influence on the economy of some countries in North America and has a relative extensive literature in these regions. However, only few papers discuss the ecology of C. sapidus in the South Atlantic, despite its economic importance in that region. We studied the fecundity, reproductive seasonality and maturation size of C. sapidus females captured in the Southeast coast of Brazil from January to December 2002. Females were separated, weighted (Wt), and cephalothorax width (CW) was measured. Furthermore, the eggs-masses were classified according to embryonic development, separated, weighted (We) and fixed. Eggs were also separated and counted, resulting in the average number of eggs per individual (Ne). A total sample of 307 females was collected: 78 young, 130 adults and 99 ovigerous. Ovigerous females showed CW between 7.49 and 15.89cm with average of 12.21cm and were distributed throughout the sample period, with highest incidence between December and March. The onset of morphological maturity (L50) occurred at CW = 10.33 cm, and the size in which all were mature (L100) was CW = 11.20 cm. Individual fecundity ranged from 689 356 to 3 438 122 with an average of 2 006 974. The CW showed a positive growth trend with Ne and We. We concluded that in order to ensure the resource sustainability, it is necessary to prohibit captures of C. sapidus in these regions, especially during summer. Additionally, our studies suggest that the minimum capture size should be 11 cm of carapace width.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-1
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-2
content type line 23
ISSN:0034-7744
2215-2075
DOI:10.15517/rbt.v61i2.11162