Densidade e Estrutura Populacional do Caranguejo-Uçá, Ucides cordatus (Linnaeus, 1763) na Reserva Extrativista Marinha de Tracuateua, Pará, Brasil

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze density and population structure of the mangrove crab, in order to evaluate its extractive potential in mangroves at the Marine Extractive Reserve of Tracuateua-PA. The samples were collected between the months of February to August 2015. The population density was calculated at burrows/m². The Catch per Unit of Effort (CPUE) was obtained through the reason crabs/man/hour, with the assistance of an experienced collector of crabs. The animals captured by the same had the measurements (LC) and (CC) measured with a caliper (0.01 mm) and the weight (P) recorded in precision scale (0.01 g). The immediate extractive potential (IEP) and future (FEP) was evaluated based on (LC mm) with IEP: LC≥60mm and FEP: CC<60 mm considering the size of sexual maturity. The statistical analysis was performed on Bioestat 5.0. The results showed that the overall average LC (mm), CC (mm), P (g) was (71.39 ± 5.75, 52.85 ± 4.09, 159 ± 34) respectively. The IEP and FEP were 95.11 and 4.89%. The highest CPUE was in the mangrove Beiradão (100 individuals). The density was higher in the Alemanha mangrove with 2.1 burrows/m², not occurring mean differences between the areas (p>0.05). The RESEX mangroves showed no evidence of imbalance of Ucides cordatus population. However, it emphasizes the necessity for more detailed studies, as well as more effective integrated measures that contribute to the life improvement of human communities around the RESEX, in order that the population of  U. cordatus do not decrease. Keywords: Ucides cordatus ; mangrove; population structure; RESEX.