Assessment of population biology, size-weight relationship, condition factor, and spatial distribution of the mangrove crab Ucides cordatus (Crustacea: Ocypodidae) in southern Brazil

Autor(es)

Pescinelli, Regis A. ^[1] ; Freitas, Jr., Felipe ^[2] ; Costa, Rogerio C. ^[1] ; Hilesheim, Juliano C. ^[2] ; Dieh, Fernando L. ^[2] ; Branco, Joaquim O. ^[2]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Dept Biol Sci, Fac Sci, Lab Biol Marine & Freshwater Shrimp LABCAM, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Vale Itajai UNIVALI, Lab Biol, Itajai, SC - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: ACTA ZOOLOGICA; NOV 2021.
• Citações Web of Science: 0

Resumo

Brachyuran crabs are considered one of the most representative groups in mangroves, being recognised as mangrove engineers. However, species that present commercial interest may have their population structure and spatial distribution affected by human activities, such as crab capture. Therefore, monitoring populations over time is essential. We investigated the population biology, size-weight relationship, condition factor and spatial distribution of Ucides cordatus in a mangrove ecosystem from southern Brazil, providing information for population status assessment. Males and females differed in abundance and frequency, body size, size-weight relationship and condition factor. Nonetheless, they presented the same spatial distribution pattern. Abundance, sex ratio and body size also revealed a possible influence of anthropised areas in the configuration and distribution of the species. Our results indicate a possible increase in the exploitation of the species, mainly due to the decrease of the largest male size classes' frequency. Interspecific competition seems to be a possible biotic factor influencing its condition factor. The spatial species distribution highlighted the importance of sites with less anthropogenic influence for the maintenance of the species that can be considered as key areas for the conservation of the U. cordatus in Babitonga Bay. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 20/14484-3 - Descrição morfológica dos estágios naupliares dos camarões peneídeos (Dendrobranchiata: Penaeidae) ocorrentes no estado de São Paulo
• Beneficiário: Régis Augusto Pescinelli
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Pós-Doutorado
• Processo FAPESP: 18/13685-5 - Análise integrativa da fauna brasileira de crustáceos decápodes: taxonomia, sistemática filogenética, espermiotaxonomia, morfologia do desenvolvimento pós-embrionário, ecologia e conservação
• Beneficiário: Fernando Luis Medina Mantelatto
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Programa BIOTA - Temático