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Growth and reproduction of Rhynchoplax coralicola Rathbun (Brachyura: Hymenosomatidae)

1994; Volume: 23; Linguagem: Inglês

10.18353/crustacea.23.0_108

2433-0973

Tianxiang Gao, Shinji Tsuchida, Seiichi Watanabe,

Parasite Biology and Host Interactions

The growth and reproduction of Rhynchoplax coralicola were investigated from March 1993 to April 1994 at the Banda Marine Laboratory of Tokyo University of Fisheries, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Ovigerous females were found from June to September with a peak in July-August. After the puberty molt, secondary sexual characteristics appear in the abdomen of females and in the chelae of males. The clutch size of ovigerous females ranged from 23 to 220 eggs with a significant increase in diameter of eyed eggs over non-eyed eggs. Juveniles recruit from September, growing slowly over winter and spring but from March to June they grow rapidly, maturing during May to July. After the reproductive period few adults were observed. It is suggest that the maximum life span of R. coralicola must be about one year in this study area.