Reproductive pattern and egg development of the deep-sea crab Paromola cuvieri (Brachyura, Homolidae) around the Canary Islands (NE Atlantic)

• Published in: Deep-sea research. Part I, Oceanographic research papers Vol. 85; pp. 1 - 14
• Main Authors: Triay-Portella, Raül, González, José A., Santana, José I., García-Martín, Verónica, Romero, Marta, Jiménez-Martín, Santiago, Hernández-Castro, Dailos, Pajuelo, José G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01-03-2014; Elsevier; Pergamon Press Inc
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal reproduction; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Canary Islands; Crustacea; Crustaceans; Deep-sea crab; Demecology; Depth distribution; Eggs development; Epibionts; Fecundity; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Homolidae; Invertebrates; Life cycle. Embryology. Development; Morphology; Oceanography; Paromola cuvieri; Physiology. Development; Protozoa. Invertebrata; Reproductive pattern; Canary Islands; Northeast Atlantic; Atlantic Ocean Islands; Atlantic Ocean; Canary Islands; Paromola cuvieri; Depth distribution; Reproductive pattern; Homolidae; Eggs development; Deep-sea crab; Epibionts; Fecundity; Embryonic development; Vertical distribution; Brachyura; Deep water; Crustacea; Marine environment; Sex ratio; Sexual maturity; Reproduction; Arthropoda; Morphology; Population dynamics; Decapoda; Invertebrata; Morphometry
• ISSN: 0967-0637; 1879-0119
• DOI: 10.1016/j.dsr.2013.12.001

This work investigated the biology of Paromola cuvieri in the Atlantic Ocean, including reproductive patterns, sex structure, depth distribution and egg development. Females were more abundant than males, mainly at depths greater than 600m. Males were dominant in size classes larger than 110mm carapace width (CW), especially over 120mm, for which only males were observed. The mean length of both sexes decreased with depth. P. cuvieri appears to have continuous reproduction throughout the year. Large females tend to spawn mainly between summer and winter, but smaller females spawn during the summer. Four maturity categories were identified based on the ovary colour, and these categories were histologically validated. Three categories of testes were identified according to their colour and morphology. Sexual maturity was estimated at sizes between 71.6 and 74.0mm CW for females and at 91.0mm CW for males. The relative growth showed changes along the ontogeny, at 73.6mm CW (females) and 91.3–92.2mm CW (males). Egg development appears to not be completely synchronous, and two colour patterns can be observed simultaneously. Four stages of egg development were found: eggs undivided and fully filled with yolk in orange egg masses; eggs with a free region of yolk visible in orange or red egg masses; embryos with slightly pigmented, crescent-shaped eyes in brown egg masses; and embryos with visible pigmented structures, enlarged eyes, segmented appendages and abdomen in brown egg masses. The mean number of external eggs carried by females in stage I was estimated to be 315,753±19,267. Three species of barnacle were observed on the exoskeleton: Poecilasma aurantia, Poecilasma crassa and Heteralepas microstoma (Cirripedia, Thoracica).
•Main reproductive biological parameters of a large-sized deep-water crab were estimated.•The study was based on a wide sample experimentally taken from a nearly pristine population.•A gonad maturity scale based on their development and colouration was established for both sexes.•A chromatic, morphological scale of egg development was proposed.•Results obtained provided useful information that can be used by regulatory bodies.