Size at the onset of morphological sexual maturity, sexual size dimorphism and relative growth of Petrolisthes armatus (Decapoda, Porcellanidae) from Northeastern Brazil

Size at the onset of morphological sexual maturity, sexual size dimorphism and relative growth of Petrolisthes armatus (Decapoda, Porcellanidae) from Northeastern Brazil

Our study investigated the size at the onset of morphological sexual maturity, sexual size dimorphism, and relative growth in the green porcelain crab Petrolisthes armatus from a population in Northeastern Brazil. Specimens were collected monthly between February 2011 and January 2012 from the Baía...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Invertebrate reproduction & development Vol. 68; no. 3; pp. 141 - 149
Main Authors: Ferreira Alcântara, Maria Das Graças, de Alcântara Pontes, Ana Laura, Fernandes Alcantara, Carla Janes, Pontes Pinheiro, Allysson P., Nascimento, Whandenson M.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis 02-07-2024
Subjects:
Allometry
Brazilian estuary
neotropical porcelain crab
SSD
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Summary:Our study investigated the size at the onset of morphological sexual maturity, sexual size dimorphism, and relative growth in the green porcelain crab Petrolisthes armatus from a population in Northeastern Brazil. Specimens were collected monthly between February 2011 and January 2012 from the Baía do Pontal, Ilhéus, Bahia. We analysed 576 specimens, with females reaching the size at the onset of morphological sexual maturity at a carapace width of 4.7 mm and males at a carapace width of 5.83 mm. Sexual size dimorphism was confirmed, with females exhibiting a broader pleon and males a wider carapace and larger chelipeds. Positive allometry was observed in cheliped growth, with males exhibiting variation among juveniles and adults. Females showed ontogenetic distinctions in pleon width and cheliped dimensions. Our findings reveal that females and males of P. armatus exhibit different energetic investments in the development of secondary sexual characteristics, especially in cheliped growth for males and pleon enlargement for females. These results from a population of P. armatus in Northeastern Brazil contribute to a deeper understanding of reproductive strategies in females and males of the species.
ISSN:0792-4259
2157-0272
DOI:10.1080/07924259.2024.2385914