Maturity in male stone crab Hapalogaster dentata (Anomura : Lithodidae) and its application for fishery management

Citation
S. Goshima et al., Maturity in male stone crab Hapalogaster dentata (Anomura : Lithodidae) and its application for fishery management, J CRUS BIOL, 20(4), 2000, pp. 641-646
Citations number
40
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Aquatic Sciences
Journal title
JOURNAL OF CRUSTACEAN BIOLOGY
ISSN journal
0278-0372 → ACNP
Volume
20
Issue
4
Year of publication
2000
Pages
641 - 646
Database
ISI
SICI code
0278-0372(200011)20:4<641:MIMSCH>2.0.ZU;2-I
Abstract
Male size at maturity is important information for management of crab fishe ries. Morphometric and/or gonadal maturity, which have been used to estimat e size at maturity for many male crustaceans, were examined as potential in dicators of functional maturity using small, unfished stone crab Hapalogast er dentata as a model species. Morphometric size of maturity as estimated b y the change of the allometric relationship between carapace length (CL) an d chela height was 5.2 mm CL. The size at gonadal maturity as estimated by histological examination of the gonad and vasa deferentia was 5.3 mm CL. Th e functional size at maturity as estimated by observing precopulatory guard ing pairs in the field was 9.5 mm CL, much larger than the former two estim ates. Size-assortative mating was observed between guarding males and guard ed females. Female choice for larger males and advantage of the larger male s in mating fights may be the reasons why such discrepancy between morphome tric and/or gonadal maturity and functional maturity exist. We suggest that minimum legal size limit for decapod crustaceans should be determined by t he functional maturity-actual size to participate in mating-and that the si ze of functional maturity is useful information for conservation-oriented m anagement.