Breeding period of the arrow crab Stenorhynchus seticornis from Couves Island, south-eastern Brazilian coast

Abstract

This study focused on the breeding period of Stenorhynchus seticornis (Brachyura, Majidae, Inachinae) in the south-eastern Brazilian coast. Monthly collections were accomplished from January to December of 2000. A catch effort of approximately 4 h was allocated to each monthly survey. The breeding intensity was determined as the percentage of ovigerous crabs within the whole adult female population. A total of 204 adult females were obtained, from which 74.5% presented eggs attached to their pleopods. Ovigerous females were observed year-round, usually comprising more than 60% of sampled adult females. The ovigerous frequency was not found to be correlated with either temperature or salinity.