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Population dynamics and life history of the mangrove crab Aratus pisonii (Brachyura, Grapsidae) in a marine environment

Abstract:

Aratus pisonii commonly inhabits the supralittoral zone of roots, branches and canopy of the red mangrove, Rhizophora mangle. Males attain greater carapace widths than females. At Morrocoy National Park, Falcon, Venezuela, sex ratios fluctuated within the year, but there were no significant differences between years or seasons. A U-shaped sex ratio curve as a function of size was found. A continuously low juvenile abundance was detected. Ovigerous females were continuously present in the population. Their percentage fluctuated through time, with the highest value in the last trimester, coinciding with the rainy season. Number of eggs per female increased as a linear function of carapace width. No conspicuous crab migrations were observed. -from Authors