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Population structure and reproduction of the hermit crab Dardanus deformis (Anomura: Diogenidae) in the Indian Ocean

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 June 2005

Carlos Litulo
Carlos Litulo
Affiliation:
Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Caixa Postal 257, Maputo, Mozambique, E-mail: Litulo@yahoo.com
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Abstract

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The population structure and fecundity of the hermit crab Dardanus deformis were studied. Monthly samples were obtained between January and December 2003 at Costa do Sol, Maputo Bay, southern Mozambique. A total of 604 individuals was analysed of which 273 were males, 164 non-ovigerous females and 167 ovigerous females. The overall size–frequency distributions were unimodal, with males reaching larger sizes than both ovigerous and non-ovigerous females. Females were slightly more abundant than males, but the overall sex ratio did not differ significantly from 1:1. Dardanus deformis showed continuous reproduction throughout the study period. A small number of juveniles was obtained, suggesting that recruitment may take place in a different habitat than that occupied by the adults. The egg number increased with female size, and the high incidence of ovigerous females, may suggest a higher reproductive activity probably as a result of the rapid embryonic development in the study area.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 85 , Issue 4 , August 2005 , pp. 883 - 887
Copyright
2005 Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom