Abstract
Abstract The present investigation aimed to estimate the individual growth and mortality of an invasive species found in the estuarine region of Patos Lagoon (Southern Brazil). For 20 months crabs were sampled, and in the laboratory specimens of Rhithropanopeus harrisii (Gould, 1841) were measured (carapace width, CW, and weight). Carapace width data was utilized for a modal progression analysis and to estimate the individual growth curve (von Bertalanffy growth model), and a size-converted catch curve. Von Bertalanffy parameters estimated were CW∞ = 16.92 mm and k = 1.28 year-1. Maximum longevity was estimated at 3.5 years. Instantaneous total mortality was estimated at 2.17 ± 0.30 year-1. It has been suggested that longevity may be explained by a low predation impact on R. harrisii, which, as a consequence, may lead to slow individual growth of this species in the estuarine region of Patos Lagoon.
Highlights
The introduction of non-native species in the environment is a constant threat for terrestrial and marine biodiversity, and an important issue in environmental global change (Simberloff et al, 2013)
Based on the growth parameters estimated for this pooled growth curve, maximum longevity was estimated as 43 months
Maximum longevity was estimated at 3.5 years
Summary
The introduction of non-native species in the environment is a constant threat for terrestrial and marine biodiversity, and an important issue in environmental global change (Simberloff et al, 2013). Rhithropanopeus harrisii (Gould, 1841) (Decapoda: Panopeidae) is a native crab from North America (Atlantic Coast), distributed from New Brunswick (Canada), through the north of the Gulf of Mexico (Florida, USA), to Mexico, Panama, and Venezuela (Williams, 1984; Rodriguez and Suarez, 2001; Roche et al, 2009). It is an euryhaline species, in which adults are found in water with salinity from 0.5 to 40 ppt (Boyle et al, 2010). Rhithropanopeus harrisii is noted to outcompete native species (Brockerhoff and McLay, 2011) and to spread white spot baculovirus, with potential impacts on aquaculture and commercial harvests (Hayes and Sliwa, 2003)
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