Factors Influencing Reproductive Attributes of Stone Crabs (Menippe) in Tampa Bay, Florida

Abstract

ABSTRACT Understanding aspects of reproduction is important for studies of life history strategy and for resource management. The influences of nine factors (five intrinsic, four extrinsic) on the reproductive attributes egg diameter, egg dry weight, and clutch size (i.e., number of eggs in egg mass) of female stone crabs (genus Menippe (Say)) from Tampa Bay, FL, waters were investigated. Two intrinsic factors influenced reproductive attributes: carapace width was positively correlated with clutch size, and egg stage was positively related to egg size. Three intrinsic factors—genotype class, damaged or missing pleopods, and missing claws or legs—had no influence on any reproductive attribute. The four extrinsic factors each influenced at least two reproductive attributes. Egg diameter and weight were significantly larger and clutch size was significantly smaller (1) in females uninfested by Octolasmis mulleri; (2) during the early part of the spawning season, when water temperature was 27°C or less; and (...