Population biology of the fiddler crab Uca annulipes (Brachyura: Ocypodidae) in a tropical East African mangrove (Mozambique)

Abstract

The community structure of the tropical fiddler crab Uca annulipes (H. Milne Edwards) has been studied in Mozambique for the first time. Ten 0.25 m 2 squares were randomly sampled on a monthly basis during low tide periods from January to December 2002 at Costa do Sol Mangrove, Maputo Bay, southern Mozambique. A total of 981 crabs were captured, of which 494 were males (50.36%), 231 non-ovigerous females (23.85%) and 253 ovigerous females (25.79%). The overall size frequency distribution was unimodal, with males being larger than both ovigerous and non-ovigerous females. Females were more abundant in the smallest size classes while males outnumbered females in the largest ones. The overall sex ratio (1:0.99) did not differ from the expected 1:1 proportion, but significant deviations were observed in January, April, August and November. Results indicate that the size frequency distributions of this species can also be determined through direct analysis of burrow openings. Breeding took place year-round with two peaks of spawning in summer (January and December). Recruits were present throughout the year, with high abundance in summer probably due to the high reproductive activity observed in this season. The present results may allow us to suggest that U. annulipes follows a rapid breeding cycle accompanied by a rapid larval development and settlement in the study area.