Infestation by Octolasmis species (Lepadiformes, Poecilasmatidae) of the marine crab Lupocycloporus gracilimanus (Decapoda, Portunidae) from India

Crustaceana ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 94 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 1293-1312
Author(s):  
Gyanaranjan Dash ◽  
Swatipriyanka Sen ◽  
Jose Josileen
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Carapace Width ◽  
Adaptive Strategy ◽  
Fertilization Success ◽  
Strong Positive Correlation ◽  
Nearest Neighbour ◽  
Mean Intensity ◽  
Spatial Preference ◽  
Portunid Crab ◽  
Dwarf Males

Abstract The portunid crab Lupocycloporus gracilimanus from Digha, Bay of Bengal, India was investigated for an infestation by the lepadomorph cirriped Octolasmis spp. About 93% of the epibionts examined were found attached to the surface of the carapace, abdomen and legs, and these were identified as Octolasmis warwicki (EOW). Only 7% of the epibionts were attached to the branchial lamellae, and these were identified as Octolasmis angulata (EOA). Twenty-seven O. warwicki were also found to have conspecific dwarf males (CDM) attached to the scutum: probably an adaptive strategy to maximize the total insemination. Both the epibionts and the CDM showed spatial preference for the posterior mesobranchial region of the carapace. Most of the CDM (27%) were seen as a single attachment on the epibiont. The distance between the epibiont and its nearest neighbour (DNN) was found to be strongly and negatively correlated (, ) with the number of epibionts, indicating its preference to stay in an intermediate-sized group rather than remain solitary, which probably would have facilitated the evolution of dwarf males (CDMs). A higher percentage of epibionts were observed to have attached CDMs when the DNN increased, and above the 25 mm DNN, all epibionts were having CDM attachments, which is believed to be a strategy to maximize the fertilization success of CDMs by reducing sperm competition. A strong, positive correlation (, ) was observed between the carapace width of the host crab and the numbers of the infesting epibionts, proving that the larger crabs are more susceptible to the infestation compared to the smaller ones. The sex ratio of the host crab was 1 : 5.5 (Male : Female), nevertheless, only the females were infested by the epibionts. The percentage of the prevalence, relative abundance and mean intensity of EOW infestation were recorded as 46.15%, 182.05% and 394.44%, respectively. None of the crabs had serious external or internal infestations that seemed to hinder the activities of the animal. This is the first report of the infestation of these Octolasmis species on the portunid crab Lupocycloporus gracilimanus from India.

scholarly journals Population biology of the crab Armases angustipes (Crustacea, Decapoda, Sesarmidae) at Brazilian tropical coast

2014 ◽  
Vol 104 (2) ◽  
pp. 150-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina de Sá Leitão C. de Araújo ◽  
Deusinete de O. Tenório ◽  
Daniela da S. Castiglioni
Keyword(s):  
Population Structure ◽  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Population Biology ◽  
Carapace Width ◽  
Reproductive Activity ◽  
Coastal Regions ◽  
Phytoplankton Productivity ◽  
Number Of Individuals ◽  
Tropical Coast

The semi terrestrial crabs are important elements of the fauna of coastal regions. The aim of this study was to analyze the population structure of Armases angustipes (Dana, 1852) at estuaries of the Ariquindá River, considered a non impacted area, and Mamucabas River, considered a few impacted area, on the south coast of state of Pernambuco, Brazil. The species occurred in all months of the year. The number of individuals per month varied, being higher in the months of transition between the seasons. This is probably due to significant seasonal variations of air and burrow temperature and burrow salinity. There was no sexual dimorphism in size of A. angustipes in the mangrove of Ariquindá River, but males were larger than females in the mangrove of Mamucabas River. In both estuaries, the sex ratio did not differ from Mendelian proportion, but showed a deviation for females. The analysis of temporal variation in sex ratio showed significant differences in some months of the year. These variations are due to cyclical events that act distinctly on each sex. In both estuaries, size classes of carapace width were equally represented by both sexes. The ovigerous females of A. angustipes occurred only in some months of the year, especially in summer, in both estuaries. Probably the high phytoplankton productivity observed in summer favors the reproductive activity, since these algae serve as food for the larvae. Specimens of the population of Rio Ariquindá are largest and wider than those of Mamucabas River. This fact, associated with the low abundance of crabs and the lower frequency of ovigerous females observed in Mamucabas River, is an indication that this population may be influenced by the environmental impacts that this estuary has received.

Fledgling sex-ratio is biased towards the helping sex in a Neotropical cooperative breeder, the brown-and-yellow marshbird (Pseudoleistes virescens)

Behaviour ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-26
Author(s):  
Myriam E. Mermoz ◽  
Cecilia Villarruel ◽  
Alicia de la Colina ◽  
Bettina Mahler
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Breeding Success ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Adaptive Strategy ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Cooperatively Breeding ◽  
Nestling Survival ◽  
Biased Sex Ratio ◽  
Communal Areas ◽  
Breeding Seasons

Abstract In many cooperatively breeding species, helpers increase the breeding success of their parents. The repayment hypothesis predicts a skewed sex-ratio towards the helping sex at population level; at individual level bias would increase in broods attended by a smaller number of helpers. We studied a brown-and-yellow marshbird (Pseudoleistes virescens) population during 11 breeding seasons. We found that 90% of helpers were males and that they increased nestling survival, although this effect disappeared in presence of parasitic shiny cowbirds. Helpers sometimes helped at nests of adults other than their parents. Population sex-ratio of fledglings was highly skewed towards males (1.4:1). At individual level, male-biased sex-ratio of fledglings was more pronounced early in the season and increased with brood losses but was not affected by number of helpers. Marshbirds feed at communal areas so retaining helpers would not be costly. Therefore, a general skew towards males might be the best adaptive strategy.

scholarly journals Reproductive biology of the orange mud crab Scylla olivacea (Herbst, 1796) from the Pichavaram mangroves of south-east India

2019 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Viswanathan ◽  
M. Pravinkumar ◽  
T.V. Suresh ◽  
V. Elumalai ◽  
S.M. Raffi
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Reproductive Biology ◽  
Sexual Maturity ◽  
Carapace Width ◽  
Distribution Analysis ◽  
Mud Crab ◽  
Indian Coast ◽  
Ratio Size ◽  
Commercially Important

The present study was conducted to assess the size distribution, sex ratio, size at first sexual maturity, fecundity and spawning season of the commercially important orange mud crab Scylla olivacea (Herbst, 1796) in Pichavaram mangroves in south-east India. This study is the first contribution to the knowledge of reproductive biology of S. olivacea from the Indian coast. Size distribution analysis in the fishery revealed the irrational exploitation of undersized S. olivacea. The estimated sex ratio deviated from equality, being 1:0.87, revealing a male domination. Size at first sexual maturity was determined to be 87 mm in carapace width (CW) in females. Fecundity ranged from 1.16 to 3.53 million in females of 76 to 135 mm CW. Breeding takes place year-round with a peak in pre-monsoon, indicating that it is a prolific breeder. Results revealed that immature individuals of S. olivacea contributed significantly to the catches and thus an effective management of the resource by framing minimum legal size is crucial so that the females are allowed to spawn at least once prior to capture.

scholarly journals Importance of biogenic substrates for the stone crab Menippe nodifrons Stimpson, 1859 (Brachyura: Eriphioidea)

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 459-467
Author(s):  
Douglas Fernandes Rodrigues-Alves ◽  
Samara De Paiva Barros-Alves ◽  
Vivian Fransozo ◽  
Giovana Bertini ◽  
Valter José Cobo
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Intertidal Zone ◽  
Carapace Width ◽  
Growth Phases ◽  
Stone Crab ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Sargassum Cymosum ◽  
Zone Sampling ◽  
Juvenile Development ◽  
Substrate Types

In order to better understand the ecology of the different growth phases of the stone crab, Menippe nodifrons, and provide information for conservation of the natural stocks, this study describes the utilization of different biogenic substrates by this species in the intertidal zone. Sampling was carried out by hand at Ubatuba, State of São Paulo, Brazil. Crabs were captured among rocks or in association with three different biogenic substrates: Phragmatopoma lapidosa, Sargassum cymosum and Schizoporella unicornis. In the laboratory, the substrates were sorted and scanned for specimens of M. nodifrons, which were separated and measured at their maximum carapace width (CW), and classified as juvenile or adult specimens. Sex ratio and size distribution of crabs were analyzed for each of the substrate types. A total of 686 specimens of M. nodifrons were obtained during the sampling, ranging in size between 2.4 and 82.5 mm CW. Different mean sizes were recorded in the different substrates (P < 0.05). The high prevalence of juveniles in the samples suggests that these microhabitats are fundamental for the juvenile development of M. nodifrons, as they provide refuge, protection and probably food for juveniles.

scholarly journals SIZE COMPOSITION AND FECUNDITY OF THE ROCK CRAB GRAPSUS GRAPSUS (LINNAEUS, 1758) IN THE ISLANDS OF NAVACHISTE BAY, SINALOA, MEXICO

2020 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yecenia Gutierrez Rubio ◽  
Juan Francisco Arzola Gonzalez ◽  
Jorge Saul Ramirez Perez ◽  
Guillermo Rodriguez Dominguez ◽  
Raul Perez Gonzalez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Carapace Width ◽  
Size Composition ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Average Fecundity ◽  
Rock Crab ◽  
Gravid Females

The present study analysed the size composition and fecundity of Grapsus grapsus (Linnaeus, 1758) in the intertidal regions of Guasayeye, La Ventana and San Lucas islands in Navachiste Bay, Sinaloa, Mexico. Samples were collected from November 2017 to October 2018 with a bimonthly periodicity and sampling stations were established in each island. Crab samples were collected randomly at nocturnal low tide. Sex of the crabs was determined and carapace width (CW), length (L) and height (H) in mm, and their weight (W) in g were measured. Biometric correlations were performed. Fecundity was estimated in gravid females. The highest percentage of capture for females was 53.3% whereas for males was 46.7%; and the sex ratio was 1.15:1. The highest percentage was in San Lucas Island (41.4%) and the lowest in La Ventana (27.7%). Maximum CW (69.3 mm) and weight (137.5 g) were recorded in San Lucas. Island, while the lowest CW (9.3 mm) and weight (0.5 g) were recorded in Guasayeye Island. No significant difference in size (CW and W) were observed between sexes or between islands. The average fecundity for female was 9,245 eggs. A high biometric correlation was obtained (r2=0.98) between the morphometric variables and G. grapsus was found to have an isometric growth.

Population dynamics of Sesarma rectum (Crustacea: Brachyura: Grapsidae) in the Ariquindá River mangrove, north-east of Brazil

2011 ◽  
Vol 91 (7) ◽  
pp. 1395-1401 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela da Silva Castiglioni ◽  
Paloma Joana Albuquerque de Oliveira ◽  
Josivan Soares da Silva ◽  
Petrônio Alves Coelho
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Sexual Maturity ◽  
Carapace Width ◽  
Reproductive Activity ◽  
Reproductive Period ◽  
Size Class ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
North East ◽  
Class Frequency ◽  
Autumn And Winter

This study was carried out in order to provide basic information on the population ecology of the crab Sesarma rectum in the Ariquindá River mangrove, Tamandaré, State of Pernambuco, Brazil. The population was analysed with regard to the following aspects, in particular: the size-class frequency distribution of carapace width (CW), mean body size (CW) of males and females, morphological sexual maturity, sex-ratio, reproductive period, and recruitment. Samples were collected monthly from April 2008 through to March 2009; the crabs were collected manually, with a capture effort by one person for 30 minutes, during low tide. The specimens obtained were measured for CW, length of the propodus of males, and abdomen width of females; and the sex and ovigerous condition were noted. Altogether, we obtained 511 specimens (132 juvenile and 137 adult males, and 171 juvenile and 71 adult females, of which 32 were ovigerous). The median CW of males (16.15 mm) was significantly larger than that of females (13.82 mm) (P < 0.05). The size at morphological sexual maturity was 15.73 mm in males and 16.71 mm in females. The sex-ratio for the total of specimens analysed was 1.11:1 (male:female) (P > 0.05). The sex-ratio by size-class showed an anomalous pattern, with a greater abundance of males in the larger size-classes. The reproductive period was continuous and the highest frequency of ovigerous females was recorded in the spring and summer. The major pulse of recruitment occurred during autumn and winter, which is related to greater reproductive activity during the warmer months of the year.

scholarly journals The importance of population density and inter-individual distance in conserving the European oysterOstrea edulis

2018 ◽  
Vol 99 (3) ◽  
pp. 587-593 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Guy ◽  
D. Smyth ◽  
D. Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Brood Size ◽  
Fertilization Success ◽  
Nearest Neighbour ◽  
Allee Effects ◽  
Ostrea Edulis ◽  
Model Species ◽  
Nearest Neighbours ◽  
Broadcast Spawner ◽  
Individual Distance ◽  
Wet Weight

Fertilization success will determine the rate at which a population can expand and is especially important when considering small, establishing or enduring communities. Introduced species frequently fail to establish reproductively functional populations due to strong Allee effects associated with low densities. The native European oyster,Ostrea edulisbroods its fertilized eggs in the pallial cavity for a period of 8–10 days before releasing the larvae. It is considered a partial broadcast spawner and was used as a model species to assess the importance of Allee effects such as inter-individual distance on reproductive success. Distances between individual oysters within test plots in areas of known oyster density were used in conjunction with standardized brood size (n larvae g−1total wet weight) to assess fertilization success. A significant, positive relationship was observed between brood size and oyster density. Oysters with a nearest neighbour ≤1.5 m were found to brood significantly more larvae than individuals with nearest neighbours ≥1.5 m. Therefore, high density sites need to be maintained to ensure the recovery and enhancement of this OSPAR Convention recognized species in decline.

scholarly journals Population Structure and Reproductive Biology of the Endangered Crab Deiratonotus japonicus (Brachyura, Camptandriidae) Surveyed for Nine Years in the Kita River, Japan

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 921
Author(s):  
Il-Kweun Oh ◽  
Seung-Woo Lee
Keyword(s):  
Population Structure ◽  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Reproductive Biology ◽  
Carapace Width ◽  
River Mouth ◽  
Sampling Period ◽  
Sampling Station ◽  
Egg Number ◽  
Kanagawa Prefecture ◽  
The Mean

Deiratonotus japonicus (D. japonicus) is known as a near-threatened species, because of the changing conditions of its habitat. This species resides in isolated locations and in upstream, brackish waters from Kanagawa Prefecture to Okinawa Prefecture in Japan. In this study, we investigated the population structure and reproductive biology of D. japonicus in the Kita River, Japan. The distribution, sex ratio, breeding season, and fecundity were assessed at bimonthly intervals during spring low-tide periods from May 2001 to November 2008 and from November 2014 to January 2016 for approximately nine years. A total of 3525 crabs were collected during the sampling period: 1806 (51.2%) males, 1240 (35.2%) non-ovigerous females, and 479 (13.6%) ovigerous females. The overall sex ratio (1:0.95) did not differ significantly from the expected 1:1 ratio. The mean maximum density was 26.1 and 36.5 indiv./m2 for the first and second sampling periods, respectively, in the sampling station 5.2 km from the Kita River mouth, and all individuals were typically found approximately 4.4–6.8 km (13.2 ± 7.8 indiv./m2) from the Kita River mouth. Carapace width (CW) ranged from 2.6 to 13.5 mm in males and from 2.8 to 13.4 mm in females and was significantly different between the two sexes (p < 0.05). Ovigerous females were found almost throughout the entire sampling period, with breeding peaks between July and September. The smallest ovigerous female had a CW of 3.9 mm. The seasonal frequency distribution suggested the continuous recruitment of young juveniles (CW < 3.9 mm) throughout the year, with peaks from September to November. The mean fecundity was 1008.3 ± 183.1 (8.3 ± 1.6 mm) eggs. Egg number in relation to CW was calculated by the formula egg number (EN) = 110.36 × CW + 90.96 (R2 = 0.948, n = 41, p < 0.0001). Regression analysis showed that fecundity was closely associated with female CW. Our results indicate that the performance of reproductive biology depends not only on continuous breeding but also on recruitment throughout the year in our study area.

Oviposition strategy for superparasitism in the gregarious parasitoidOomyzus sokolowskii(Hymenoptera: Eulophidae)

2018 ◽  
Vol 109 (2) ◽  
pp. 221-228
Author(s):  
X. Li ◽  
B. Li ◽  
L. Meng
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Plutella Xylostella ◽  
Brood Size ◽  
Adaptive Strategy ◽  
Insufficient Evidence ◽  
Oviposition Strategy ◽  
Gregarious Parasitoid

AbstractSuperparasitism is an adaptive strategy in solitary parasitoids, yet insufficient evidence confirms this in gregarious ones. We here ask whether the gregarious parasitoidOomyzus sokolowskiiis able to discriminate in attack and progeny allocation between parasitized and unparasitizedPlutella xylostellalarvae, and how the parasitoid allocates brood size and sex to superparasitized hosts due to some circumstances. We found that female parasitoids preferred unparasitized to parasitized host larvae, and allocated a smaller brood with more males in the later than in the former host. Brood size and sex ratio decreased from superparasitized hosts with a 48 h interval since a previous attack compared with one without an interval; they also declined from the host superparasitized by the parasitoid with oviposition experience compared with one without it. Brood size and sex ratio did not differ between the host superparasitized by the same parasitoid as in the first attack and that by a different one. Our findings suggest thatO. sokolowskiifemales may adjust their oviposition decisions on progeny allocation in response to parasitizedP. xylostellalarvae to maximize their fitness gains from superparasitism.

Interannual variability of sperm reserves and fecundity of primiparous females of the snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio) in relation to sex ratio

2002 ◽  
Vol 59 (12) ◽  
pp. 1932-1940 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernard Sainte-Marie ◽  
Jean-Marie Sévigny ◽  
Mireille Carpentier
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Carapace Width ◽  
Weight Percent ◽  
Snow Crab ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Reproductive Condition ◽  
Embryo Production ◽  
Potential Fecundity ◽  
Chionoecetes Opilio ◽  
Female Promiscuity

Demographics of adults and reproductive condition of primiparous (first brood) females of the snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio) were monitored annually from 1994 to 2002 at a fished site to investigate the possibility that sperm supply limits embryo production. Abundance of primipara fluctuated 533-fold because of a recruitment pulse, and this caused a large oscillation in the sex ratio of adult males to primipara. Annual mean of stored ejaculate weight (SL) and potential fecundity index (PF, clutch weight × percent fertilized eggs) adjusted to constant primipara carapace width ranged from 31 to 130 mg by spermatheca and from 1.97 to 3.43 g by clutch, respectively. Annual mean of SL and number of stored sperm (range 3.81 × 106 to 35.00 × 106 sperm by spermatheca) decreased when sex ratio decreased, probably because of a combined reduction of sperm allocation and female promiscuity. Annual mean PF was negatively correlated with abundance of small males, which may reflect egg losses during postoviposition matings. Although sociosexual context has a large impact on reproductive condition of primipara, the possibility that sperm supply limits embryo production could not be confirmed or excluded because of the complexity of snow crab mating behavior.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document