Reproductive period of the swimming crab Callinectes danae at the Santa Cruz Channel, a highly productive tropical estuary in Brazil

Aline Do Vale Barreto,Aurinete De Oliveira Negromonte,Marina De Sá Leitão Câmara De Araújo Araújo

doi:10.1590/s0104-64972011000200007

Aline Do Vale Barreto, Aurinete De Oliveira Negromonte + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.1590/s0104-64972011000200007

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Journal: Nauplius	Publication Date: Dec 1, 2011
Citations: 17	License type: cc-by

Affiliation: Universidade Federal de Pernambuco

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze reproductive aspects of Callinectes danae in one of the most productive estuarine systems in the Northeast Brazil, Santa Cruz Channel. A total of 1.573 individuals, being 756 females (23 ovigerous) and 817 males were examined from January to December 2009. Mature males and females, as well as couples of C. danae, occurred in all months of the year. Ovigerous females occurred in nearly all months. The reproductive activity, based on the macroscopic observation of the gonads, occurs continuously, with distinguishable peaks in February, March and September. Ovigerous females were only recorded nearest to the sea, while couples were only in the inner estuary. Thus, a migration pattern is proposed, with couples mating inside the estuary, followed by a migration of females to the area of greater marine influence for egg laying and, probably, larval release. After this, probably the females of do not return to the estuary, characterizing habitat partitioning. The present study is the first contribution on the reproductive period of C. danae in an estuarine ecosystem of the Brazilian northeast coast, and elucidates some aspects of its reproductive behavior.

Highlights

Reproduction is the most important biological phenomenon to ensure the continuity of a species (Cobo and Fransozo, 2000)
For many species of Brachyura, the determination of this period is mainly based on the observation of the months when ovigerous females are found along the year, and the observation of copula and gonads are used for confirmation (Giese, 1959; Pillay and Ono, 1978; Choy, 1988; Sumpton, 1990)
Specimens of Callinectes danae were monthly collected with a dipnet from January to December 2009, at the Santa Cruz Channel (SCC) (Fig. 1), Pernambuco State, one of the most productive estuaries in the Northeast coast of Brazil (Macedo et al, 2000)

Summary

Introduction

Reproduction is the most important biological phenomenon to ensure the continuity of a species (Cobo and Fransozo, 2000). The determination of the reproductive pattern is of great importance especially for commercially exploited species. It allows the elaboration of conservation mechanisms that allow the maintenance and management of natural stocks. Among the crabs found on the Brazilian coast, the genus Callinectes Stimpson 1860 is represented by species confined to shallow waters (Melo, 1996). In southern Brazil, C. sapidus Rathbun, 1896 is the most abundant species of the genus, followed by C. danae Smith, 1869 (Weber and Levy, 2000). In northeastern Brazil, the species of preference for regional cuisine is C. danae (Calado and Souza, 2003)

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