Population structure and breeding biology of the hairy crab Pilumnus vespertilio (Fabricius, 1793) (Crustacea: Brachyura: Pilumnidae) in southern Mozambique

Author: Litulo, Carlos¹

Source: Journal of Natural History, Volume 39, Number 17, 2005 , pp. 1359-1366(8)

Publisher: Taylor and Francis Ltd

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Abstract:

The population structure and reproduction of Pilumnus vespertilio were studied for the first time in Mozambique. Random samples of crabs were taken monthly from January to December 2002 from a pebble area of Inhaca Island, southern Mozambique. A clear sexual dimorphism was observed in the present population with males reaching greater sizes than females. Sex ratio was female-biased, and the monthly size-frequency distributions were often bimodal. The annual reproductive cycle of Pilumnus vespertilio was continuous with peaks of breeding in summer. Results suggest that embryonic development may be synchronized within the population as a result of the very high reproductive activity observed in summer. Juveniles are recruited mostly in winter in the study area.

Keywords: Breeding biology; Inhaca Island; Mozambique; Pilumnus vespertilio; population structure; sex ratio

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1080/00222930400010070

Affiliations: 1: Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique

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