Abstract
Summary This study aimed to evaluate the fecundity and breeding season of the hermit crab Diogenes brevirostris from an intertidal area of southern Mozambique. Specimens were collected monthly over a period of 1 year (from January to December 2003) at Costa do Sol, Maputo Bay, southern Mozambique. The number of eggs ranged from 850 (SL = 3.0 mm) to 6000 (SL = 9.2 mm), with an average of 2340 ± 642 eggs and increased linearly with female size. Breeding took place year-round with two peaks of spawning (March and August). Linear regressions indicated that both temperature and rainfall are positively associated with the relative frequency of ovigerous females. Multiple linear regressions suggested that temperature is the main factor controlling breeding of D. brevirostris in the study area.
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