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Relative growth pattern and relative condition factor in the Japanese mitten crab Eriocheir japonica (De Haan, 1835) (Brachyura: Varunidae)

2017; Oxford University Press; Volume: 37; Issue: 5 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1093/jcbiol/rux069

1937-240X

Zhixin Zhang, Masashi Yokota, Carlos Augusto Strüssmann,

Aquaculture Nutrition and Growth

Allometric growth patterns and the relative condition factor are important considerations in the life history of crustaceans. We determined the somatic growth patterns and relative condition factor in the Japanese mitten crab Eriocheir japonica (De Haan, 1835). The morphological sexual maturity size in this species was determined based on the chela in males and abdomen in females. Male crabs reached morphological maturity at a smaller size than females. Male and female secondary sexual characters had a significantly higher relative growth rate in morphologically mature than immature crabs. The carapace width-weight relationship and relative condition factor indicated that E. japonica is in relatively good condition in the Banda River, eastern Japan because of its omnivorous habit and the abundance of available food. Besides, no significant difference in the relative condition factor was observed between sexes. The relative condition factor in E. japonica was significantly higher in the intertidal zone than in the river. The effects of size and month on the relative condition factor reflected the catadromous lifestyle of this species as well as ontogenetic changes in energy allocation.