Biology of the Hairy Mangrove Crab, Sersema huzardii (Decapoda: Graspidae) from a Tropical Estuarine Lagoon
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Date
2011
Authors
Lawal-Are, A. O.
Nwankwo, H.
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Abstract
The size composition, growth pattern, food habits, reproductive biology and feedstuff preferences of the
mangrove crab, Sesarma huzardii in a tropical estuarine lagoon were investigated. The carapace length ranged from
1.5cm to 4.7cm and weight from 4.5g to 27.8g. The crab exhibited negative allometric growth. The condition factor
ranged between 3.6 and 13.5 and decreased with size. The crabs fed mainly on diatoms, algae, higher plants and
insect parts. The sex ratio was 1: 0.6 (male/female) which was significantly different from the expected 1:1 ratio.
The fecundity ranged between 1.2 and 3.5 million eggs. The average fecundity was 2.5million eggs. Egg diameter
ranged from 0.21 to 0.33mm with a mean diameter of 0.24mm. The crab had the highest gain in weight when fed
with white mangrove leaves and least with animal food.
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Keywords
Mangrove crab, growth, feeding habits, reproductive biology
Citation
Authors Aderonke Omolara Lawal-Are, Hilary Nwankwo Publication date 2011 Journal Journal of American Science Volume 7 Issue 7 Pages 402-408 Description The size composition, growth pattern, food habits, reproductive biology and feedstuff preferences of the mangrove crab, Sesarma huzardii in a tropical estuarine lagoon were investigated. The carapace length ranged from 1.5 cm to 4.7 cm and weight from 4.5 g to 27.8 g. The crab exhibited negative allometric growth. The condition factor ranged between 3.6 and 13.5 and decreased with size. The crabs fed mainly on diatoms, algae, higher plants and insect parts. The sex ratio was 1: 0.6 (male/female) which was significantly different from the expected 1: 1 ratio. The fecundity ranged between 1.2 and 3.5 million eggs. The average fecundity was 2.5 million eggs. Egg diameter ranged from 0.21 to 0.33 mm with a mean diameter of 0.24 mm. The crab had the highest gain in weight when fed with white mangrove leaves and least with animal food. Total citations Cited by 12