scholarly journals Relative growth, sexual maturity, and breeding season of three species of the genus Persephona (Decapoda: Brachyura: Leucosiidae): a comparative study

2013 ◽  
Vol 93 (6) ◽  
pp. 1581-1591 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ariádine Cristine Almeida ◽  
Célia Mary Hiyodo ◽  
Valter José Cobo ◽  
Giovana Bertini ◽  
Vivian Fransozo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rates ◽  
Sexual Maturity ◽  
Carapace Width ◽  
Sampling Period ◽  
The Body ◽  
Otter Trawl ◽  
Brazilian Coast ◽  
Fishing Boat ◽  
Reproduction Pattern ◽  
Breeding Seasons

The relative growths of Persephona lichtensteinii, P. mediterranea, and P. punctata were investigated on the south-eastern Brazilian coast, focusing on differences in the growth rates between immature and mature phases, the onset of morphological sexual maturity, and the breeding seasons of these species. Crabs were collected every two months from January 1991 through to November 1992, from a shrimp fishing boat equipped with two otter-trawl nets. Significant differences in the patterns of body growth were observed between immature and mature phases of all three species. Changes in the growth rates of the chelipeds (males) and abdomen (females) observed for P. lichtensteinii, P. mediterranea, and P. punctata, seem to be related to the puberty moult for both sexes. Males of P. mediterranea and P. punctata reached larger mean sizes of carapace width than females, whereas no difference was recorded for P. lichtensteinii. The body size at which 50% of males attained sexual maturity was also larger in P. mediterranea and P. punctata, and smaller in P. lichtensteinii. The absence of a pronounced sexual dimorphism and the size at the onset of sexual maturity observed only for P. lichtensteinii might be explained by distinct reproductive strategies of males. The presence of ovigerous females during the entire sampling period suggests that all three species have a continuous reproduction pattern at the Ubatuba region. Future studies on the population structure, functional maturity, and mating system should improve the understanding of factors driving the biology and ecology of these species at a subtropical region.

scholarly journals Comparison of body size, relative growth and size at onset sexual maturity of Uca uruguayensis (Crustacea: Decapoda: Ocypodidae) from different latitudes in the south-western Atlantic

2012 ◽  
Vol 93 (3) ◽  
pp. 781-788 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gustavo Luis Hirose ◽  
Vivian Fransozo ◽  
Carolina Tropea ◽  
Laura S. López-Greco ◽  
Maria Lucia Negreiros-Fransozo
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Sexual Maturity ◽  
Fiddler Crab ◽  
Carapace Width ◽  
The Body ◽  
Brazilian Population ◽  
The South ◽  
Western Atlantic ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Uca Uruguayensis

Some crustaceans show variations of their reproductive biology within their geographical distribution, and knowledge about such variations is important for the comprehension of their reproductive adaptations. This study compared two populations of the fiddler crab Uca uruguayensis from two locations on the south-western Atlantic coast: Ubatuba Bay, São Paulo, Brazil and Samborombón Bay, Buenos Aires, Argentina. The population features analysed were the body size variation (carapace width = CW) and the size at the onset of sexual maturity (SOM) in order to test the hypothesis that the size at SOM, should be the same in relative terms (RSOM), independently of the latitudinal position. In the Brazilian population the CW ranged from 4.18 to 11.60 mm for males and 3.90 to 9.80 mm for females, and in the Argentinean population from 3.60 to 14.10 mm for males and 2.85 to 12.00 mm for females. In the Brazilian population the SOM was 7.1 (RSOM = 0.58) and 5.9 mm CW (RSOM = 0.57) for males and females, respectively, and in the Argentinean population it was 7.0 (RSOM = 0.42) and 6.75 mm CW (RSOM = 0.53) for males and females, respectively. This fact is probably related to a great plasticity in the life history features of Uca uruguayensis under different environmental conditions.

Reproductive biology of Hepatus pudibundus (Crustacea: Brachyura), the most abundant crab on the southeastern Brazilian coast

Biologia ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paloma Aparecida de Lima ◽  
Giovana Bertini ◽  
Vivian Fransozo ◽  
Rafael Gregati ◽  
Lissandra Corrêa Fernandes-Góes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bottom Water ◽  
Carapace Width ◽  
Sampling Period ◽  
Reproductive Activity ◽  
Gonadal Development ◽  
Reproductive Period ◽  
Brazilian Coast ◽  
Northern Coast ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Bottom Water Temperature

AbstractThis study analyzed the size at sexual maturity and reproductive period of populations of Hepatus pudibundus in three bays on the northern coast of São Paulo, Brazil. Crabs were collected monthly and the bottom-water temperature was measured at each collection point. The animals were sexed, measured for carapace width (CW), and their gonadal stages were determined. A total of 8,674 specimens were collected (2,435 males and 6,239 females). Adult males showed the highest mean CW; the size at maturity for both sexes was 32.5 mm CW. Reproduction was continuous and peaked in spring and summer, because of the greater availability of plankton food for the larvae. This pattern is typical in tropical and subtropical regions, unlike the seasonal reproduction found in temperate regions. Reproductive activity of females was not significantly correlated with bottom-water temperatures. Immatures and individuals in all stages of gonadal development were found throughout the sampling period and at all depths, probably because the species completes its entire reproductive cycle in that area.

Reproductive biology of the slipper lobster Scyllarides deceptor (Decapoda: Scyllaridae) along the southern Brazilian coast

2008 ◽  
Vol 88 (7) ◽  
pp. 1433-1440 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriela Oliveira ◽  
Andrea S. Freire ◽  
Paulo R.K. Bertuol
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Biology ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Sexual Maturity ◽  
Egg Size ◽  
Carapace Length ◽  
Sampling Period ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Brazilian Coast ◽  
Rocky Bottom ◽  
Size At Sexual Maturity

The reproductive biology of Scyllarides deceptor was studied along the southern Brazilian coast (27°S 48°W) from December 2002 to December 2003. Samples were collected monthly at Xavier Island, where animals were caught and marked. Fecundity and egg size were estimated from ovigerous females caught also in two adjacent islands, Arvoredo and Aranhas. A total of 98 females was recorded at Xavier Island during the sampling period, 24 of these were recaptured and presented time-at-liberty ranging from 14 to 297 days. Ovigerous females were observed during spring and summer, with the moulting period lasting from late winter to spring. Size at sexual maturity was assessed from 66 females caught during the breeding season and estimated in 85.33 mm of carapace length (CL). Mean fecundity of S. deceptor was estimated in 191,262 eggs (±17,811, SE) for females, on average, 94.74 mm long (±1.86 mm SE) (CL). Fecundity was significantly related to CL (R2 = 0.90) Mean egg size was 0.67 mm (±0.005 mm SE) and did not correlate significantly to CL (P = 0.78). The rocky bottom of Xavier Island was favourable for reproduction, presenting shelter and foraging grounds for the ovigerous females. For management purposes, our results suggest the closure of the S. deceptor fishery from November to January and the capture-size of females to be restricted to animals larger than 90 mm (CL).

Relative Growth and Its Use to Determine the Morphological Sexual Maturity of Ucides Cordatus (Linnaeus, 1763) (Decapoda, Brachyura, Ucididae) from Two Mangrove Areas on the Northeastern Brazilian Coast

Crustaceana ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 84 (10) ◽  
pp. 1221-1241 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Maturity ◽  
Carapace Width ◽  
Reproductive Behaviour ◽  
Brazilian Coast ◽  
Positive Allometry ◽  
Relative Growth ◽  
Ucides Cordatus ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
One Year ◽  
Major Cheliped

AbstractThe study of relative growth was used to determine the dimensions that best demonstrate the morphological sexual maturity of Ucides cordatus from two mangrove areas (Ariquindá and Mamucabas) of the southern coast of the state of Pernambuco, northeast Brazil. The crabs were collected manually, with a capture effort by one person, during low tide in three different areas (each 25 m2) during a period of one year from April 2008 to March 2009. Crabs of both sexes were measured for the following dimensions: carapace width (CW); carapace length (CL); major cheliped propodus length (CPL); major cheliped propodus height (CPH); abdomen width (AW) and gonopod length (GL). These variables were subjected to an analysis of K-means clustering followed by a bivariate discriminant analysis, which separated the data into two groups: juveniles and adults. After separation of the groups, each age category was grouped into sixteen size classes of CW and the proportion of adults in each size class was calculated, and fitted to a logistic equation. Subsequently, an interpolation was performed to determine the size at which 50% of the males and females were mature. The relationships that best demonstrated the size at maturity were CPL vs. CW for males (Positive allometry; Ariquindá — juveniles b = 1.27, adults b = 1.41; Mamucabas — juveniles b =1.27, adults b = 1.44) and AW vs. CW for females (Positive allometry; Ariquindá — juveniles b = 1.34, adults b = 1.28; Mamucabas — juveniles b = 1.32, adults b = 1.44). The present analysis indicates that, for these same relationships, 50% of males and females are morphologically mature, at, respectively, 38.0 and 35.4 mm CW in Ariquindá, and 37.3 and 32.9 mm CW in Mamucabas. Positive allometry shown in the female abdomen is related to egg incubation, and the excessive growth observed in the male cheliped must be related to reproductive behaviour, including courtship and intra- or inter-specific agonistic interactions with other males.

scholarly journals Estructura de la población del cangrejo rojo de manglar, Goniopsis cruentata (Decapoda: Grapsidae) bajo diferentes impactos de pesca: Implicaciones para la gestión de los recursos.

2015 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 443 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gustavo L. Hirose ◽  
Laize S. Souza ◽  
Sonja L. R. Silva ◽  
Douglas F. R. Alves ◽  
Maria Lucia Negreiros-Fransozo
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Sexual Maturity ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Mangrove Ecosystem ◽  
The Body ◽  
Sediment Surface ◽  
Brazilian Coast ◽  
Catch Per Unit Effort ◽  
Fishery Resource

<p>The red mangrove crab, <em>Goniopsis cruentata,</em> influences the recruitment and composition of plant species in the mangrove ecosystem and it is an important fishery resource. Nevertheless, no current management and conservation plans are available for this species for the Brazilian coast. This investigation evaluated the population structure and reproductive biology in populations of <em>G. cruentata</em> under contrasting fishery pressures. The sampling program was carried out in two mangroves, Vaza-Barris and Sergipe River, from January through December 2011. Crabs from both mangroves were randomly collected by a professional fisherman during daytime low tide periods, using a fishing rod baited with pieces of a locally abundant gastropod, <em>Pugilina morio</em>, during 20min/area (catch per unit effort). Monthly measurements of air, sediment surface layer and water temperatures were obtained with a digital thermometer and salinity with an optical refractometer. Both crab populations were compared concerning their abundance, body size, sex ratio, size at onset of sexual maturity and fecundity (FI). Abiotic factors (air, water and mud temperature; and salinity) showed no significant differences between sampling localities. A total of 4 370 crabs were sampled, 2 829 from the Sergipe River and 1 541 from the Vaza-Barris River. The abundance and body size of crabs were compared between mangroves, and statistically significant differences were found. The sex ratio for both populations differed from the expected 1:1 ratio, and a significant deviation in favor of juvenile males was obtained, while adults showed a bias toward females. The estimated size at onset of sexual maturity for both sexes was similar in both populations. However, the populations differed significantly in the number and volume of eggs: a higher FI was obtained in females from the Sergipe River, while a higher egg volume was observed in females from the Vaza-Barris River mangrove. These results indicated a tendency to decrease the body size, the abundance of crabs and the reproductive potential of the species, with higher fishing intensities, reinforcing the need to develop a management plan as well as to establish conservation units for <em>G. cruentata</em> in the Northeastern Brazilian coast. Habitat loss in conjunction with long-term overfishing can have irreversible consequences, which can impact not only the populations of commercially exploited crabs, but the dynamics of virtually the entire mangrove ecosystem.</p>

scholarly journals Morphological sexual maturity of the marine crab Xanthodius parvulus at the State Marine Park Laje de Santos, São Paulo, Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol 111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabela Chellegatti ◽  
Rogério Caetano da Costa ◽  
Antonio L. Castilho ◽  
Isabela R. R. Moraes ◽  
Daphine R. Herrera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Maturity ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Marine Reserve ◽  
Carapace Width ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
Mature Stage ◽  
Brazilian Coast ◽  
Reproductive Pattern ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
Western Atlantic

ABSTRACT The marine crab Xanthodius parvulus (Fabricius, 1793) is naturally distributed in the Western Atlantic, being commonly found in the northeastern Brazilian coast. However, this species has been also recorded in the southeastern coast, especially in São Paulo State, on islands located close to harbors, which are becoming a place of occurrence for exotic species. This study aimed to estimate the morphological sexual maturity (relative growth) of X. parvulus the functional biological patterns of the species in a No-take marine reserve. The crabs were sampled at the Marine State Park of Laje de Santos, an important protected area from São Paulo that is located close to the largest Brazilian harbor, Santos, using an artificial substrate and active search methods (scuba diving). The morphological sexual maturity of females was estimated in 7.28 mm, according to the Abdomen Width vs. Carapace Width relationship, while for males this value was 8.83 mm based on the Gonopod Length vs. Carapace Width relationship, the females presented an increase in abdominal growth, even during the mature stage in order to achieve higher reproductive success, since the abdominal structure is used to protect the embryos. The Gonopod Length vs. Carapace Width relationship showed that males copulate with different sized females, since a non-exaggerated growth of the gonopods keeps them adequate to the size of the female genital pore, i.e., juveniles exhibited negative allometry and adults presented isometry. Thus, estimating the size of the sexual maturity of a species requires the development of a model to acknowledge its biological and reproductive pattern, being an important tool to increase the knowledge about the behavior of this species and one of the parameters to evaluate its conservation status.

Growth and age at sexual maturity in common toads (Bufo bufo) from two sites in Southern England

1988 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 277-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.J. Reading
Keyword(s):  
Body Length ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Sexual Maturity ◽  
Bufo Bufo ◽  
The Body ◽  
Southern England ◽  
Total Growth ◽  
First Time ◽  
Toad Bufo ◽  
Toad Bufo Bufo

Growth and age at sexual maturity in the common toad, Bufo bufo, were investigated at two sites (Portland, Purbeck) in southern England between 1981 and 1985. The body length of males and females spawning for the first time (sexual age = 0) at these sites varied significantly between years, but this variation disappeared in females with a sexual age greater than 0. Male and female toads breeding for the first time at the Purbeck site were both larger and had higher growth rates than those on Portland. No reliable growth rates were obtained for females with a sexual age greater than 0 at either site. Growth was most rapid in males during the first two years following metamorphosis when 56% (Portland) and 71 % (Purbeck) of the total growth in body length occurred. The body length of newly metamorphosed toads at both sites was approximately 8 mm but increased by mid September to 14 mm on Portland and 19 mm at the Purbeck site. The earliest age at which sexual maturity was reached was 3 years for Portland males and 2 years for Purbeck males. No reliable estimates for the age at sexual maturity were obtained for females.

PRE-MATERNAL ISOLATION EFFECTS ON BEHAVIOUR AND ENDOCRINE FUNCTION OF OFFSPRING

1969 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 367-384 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Sackler ◽  
A. S. Weltman ◽  
R. Schwartz ◽  
P. Steinglass
Keyword(s):  
Locomotor Activity ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Female Offspring ◽  
The Body ◽  
Endocrine Function ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Isolation Stress ◽  
Developmental Growth ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
And Control

ABSTRACT This report was designed to determine combined effects of maternal endocrine imbalances and abnormal behaviour due to prolonged isolation stress of female mice on the behaviour, developmental growth rate and endocrine function of their offspring. Sixty female albino mice averaging 19 g were divided equally into isolated and control groups. The isolated females were housed singly; control females were maintained in groups of 2 mice per cage. After observation of behavioural and physiological effects characteristic of isolation stress in the test mice, all isolated and control mice were mated after a 6½ month experimental, isolation period. No differences were observed in fertility and fecundity of the two groups of mothers. Analyses of developmental growth rates of the litters of the isolated versus control mothers showed significantly lower body weights in the test offspring at 3 and 4 weeks of age. The body weights of the female offspring remained significantly lower from the 4th to 11th weeks. The effects on the body weights of the male offspring declined and were no longer statistically significant at the 5th to 11 weeks. Locomotor activity at 4½ and 8 weeks of age was markedly or significantly higher in the male and female mice from isolated mothers. Tail-blood samples taken prior to autopsy at 5 and 11 weeks of age revealed significant decreases in the total leukocyte and eosinophil counts of both sexes. At the two ages, the absolute and relative spleen and thymus weights of the male and female offspring were markedly and/or significantly lower than the values observed in counterpart young from control females. Significant decreases were also observed in the absolute gonadal organ weights of both sexes at 11 weeks of age. The various data indicated inhibited growth rates, heightened locomotor activity and evasiveness, as well as evidence of increased adrenocortical function in the offspring from test mothers. The gonadal weight decreases suggested retarded gonadal development. Further studies using split-litter techniques are required to differentiate the effects of prenatal endocrine imbalances versus postnatal maternal influence (i. e., nursing care) on the offspring.

scholarly journals A comparison of the allometric growth in Uca leptodactyla (Crustacea: Brachyura: Ocypodidae) from two subtropical estuaries

2004 ◽  
Vol 84 (4) ◽  
pp. 733-735 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosana Carina Flores Cardoso ◽  
Maria Lucia Negreiros-Fransozo
Keyword(s):  
Growth Pattern ◽  
Sexual Maturity ◽  
Carapace Length ◽  
Brazilian Coast ◽  
Allometric Growth ◽  
Size At Sexual Maturity ◽  
Subtropical Estuaries ◽  
Habitat Similarity

The allometric growth of Uca leptodactyla from two distinct subtropical estuaries on the Brazilian coast was evaluated concerning its growth pattern and size at onset of sexual maturity. Females attained maturity at similar sizes in both sites (4·1 mm of carapace length in Indaiá and 4·2 mm in Ubatumirim), while males differed slightly. They reached the size at sexual maturity of 5·3 mm of carapace length in Indaiá and 4·6 mm in Ubatumirim. Growth pattern is usually similar among crabs from distinct sites while size at sexual maturity is frequently different. However, in the case of U. leptodactyla it did not occur, probably due to the strong habitat similarity and intrinsic features of this species.

scholarly journals A multivariate study of variation in two species of rock crab of the genus Leptograpsus

1974 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 417 ◽  
Author(s):  
NA Campbell ◽  
RJ Mahon
Keyword(s):  
Carapace Length ◽  
Carapace Width ◽  
The Body ◽  
Canonical Variate ◽  
Multivariate Approach ◽  
Maximum Width ◽  
Multivariate Study ◽  
Rock Crab ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Colour Form

A multivariate approach has been used to study morphological variation in the blue and orange-form species of rock crab of the genus Leptograpsus. Objective criteria for the identification of the two species are established, based on the following characters: width of the frontal region of the carapace; width of the posterior region of the carapace (rear width); length of the carapace along the midline; maximum width of the carapace; and the depth of the body. The first canonical variate, which differentiates between the two species, represents a contrast between the carapace width relative to the width of the front lip and the depth of the body; the blue-form species has a greater relative carapace width than has the orange form. The second canonical variate, which presents a contrast between the rear width and the carapace length, identifies males and females within each species; males have a greater relative carapace length than have females. All individuals, including 20 not used in the study, were correctly identified for colour form. The clear separation of the blue and orange forms achieved by canonical analysis supports the previously determined specific status of the two forms.

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