Fecundity of the Pantropical Fiddler Crab Uca annulipes (H. Milne Edwards, 1837) (Brachyura: Ocypodidae) at Costa do Sol Mangrove, Maputo Bay, Southern Mozambique

Abstract

Key words: mangroves, Uca annulipes, fecundity, Mozambique

Uca annulipes (H. Milne Edwards, 1837) is probably the most abundant brachyuran crab inhabiting mangrove forests in East Africa. However, its fecundity is poorly understood. Crabs were randomly sampled during spring low tides from January to April 2002 at Costa do Sol mangrove, Maputo Bay, southern Mozambique. Carapace width (CW), abdomen width (AW), weight (W) and egg numbers (EN) were recorded. The average fecundity was 1599 842 eggs, ranging from 529 (CW = 5.0 mm) to 4250 (CW = 24.1 mm) eggs respectively. Egg number increased significantly with increase in crab size. This information contributes to our knowledge of the reproductive potential and the reproductive processes occurring in this species of crab.

Western Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Science Vol.3(1) 2004: 87-91