Abstract
Abstract The present study analyzes the population structure of Palaemon pandaliformis, based on sex ratio, the frequency distribution in defined size classes and the reproductive biology of samples captured in seasonal collections (winter 2011 to autumn 2012) with sieves under marginal vegetation. A total of 1,043 specimens were obtained, 222 juveniles, 465 males and 356 females, being that of this total of females, 58.42% were in the ovigerous condition. The average size of the carapace for both sexes varied between 4 and 6 mm (p> 0.05) only the ovigerous females had higher averages (p <0.0001). The sex ratio differed with 1:0.76 for males (p = 0.0001), although juvenile individuals and females were present in all sampled periods, except ovigerous females in autumn. Highest abundances were observed during the winter and spring period (p = 0.0001), decreasing in the periods with higher water temperature and salinity (summer and autumn). Was observed a continuous recruitment due to the presence of juveniles in all seasons, with greater abundance in winter and spring. Thus, based on the presence of ovigerous females in almost all seasons and juveniles in all, the reproduction for P. pandaliformis can be defined as seasonal-continuous with peak in winter period.
Highlights
Population studies of crustaceans provide relevant information on the dynamics and preservation of the studied species
A total of 1,043 individuals of P. pandaliformis were obtained: 222 juveniles (21.28%), 465 males (44.58%) and 356 females total (34.14%), of which 208 had eggs adhered to their pleopods
The sex ratio observed in the population of P. pandaliformis differed from that we expected (1:1) in favoring male individuals (♂1:0.76♀) (X 2 = 14.47; GL = 1; p = 0.0001)
Summary
Population studies of crustaceans provide relevant information on the dynamics and preservation of the studied species This knowledge and a clear characterization of species are fundamental for measures aimed at the maintenance and conservation of natural resources and the understanding of their ecological stability. Representatives of the species Palaemon pandaliformis (Stimpson, 1871) are small carideans prawns found in fresh and salt water environments from Guatemala to southern Brazil (Melo 2003, Ferreira et al 2010). Individuals of this species, as well as a large part of the Palaemonidae, are osmoregulators (Freire et al 2003). They can support variations in salinity, which allows them to explore environments from freshwater to estuaries, often found next to aquatic or marginal vegetation (Mortari & Negreiros-Fransozo 2007)
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