Characterization of a Freshwater Crab Sudanonautes aubryi (Potamonautidae, Brachyura Bott, 1955) of Ngamboulou River in Brazzaville

Abstract

Objective: Crustaceans, like all Congolese benthic macro invertebrates inland waters are poorly known. Bioindicators and intermediate hosts of trematodes, they are also an excellent food source. A preliminary characterization of a common species of freshwater crabs Sudanonautes aubryi (Bott, 1955) was conducted near the Ngamboulou River (tributary of Mfilou River) through the botanic test garden of University Marien Ngouabi from April 2005 to August 2008. This morphometric study was undertaken to describe this species.
Methodology and results: The soil was handset at a depth of 15cm, crabs collected by hand, were cleaned in 10l and preserved in alcohol 70°. 186 specimens have been identified and measured, the results show that the sex ratio is equal to 1.62, and the average weight is 6.3g. The average weight of females (8.13g) is higher than that of males (5.03g). The average width of the carapace is 25.73 mm; the carapace of the female is larger (30.18mm) than males (22.99mm). The average length of the clip is 18.66mm. It also appears that females were greater (22.68mm) than males (17.42mm) clip. Ovigerous females were observed between July and September.
Conclusion and application of results: These results will provide a database for management of macro invertebrates’ conservation of Brazzaville Department and of the right bank Congo Basin.

Keywords: Congo Brazzaville, Ngamboulou River, Brachyura, Sudanonautes aubryi, characterization