Reproductive performance in Cyrtograpsus angulatus and Cyrtograpsus altimanus (Brachyura, Varunidae) from Jabalí Island, Argentina

Abstract

The reproductive performance of two Varunidae crabs, Cyrtograpsus angulatus and C. altimanus from Jabalí Island (40°32′S, 62°15′W), Argentina, were compared. The following reproductive variables were measured in the laboratory for lixed females of each species: realized fecundity (number of eggs/female): EW: egg dry weight (egg dry weight/number of eggs); RO: reproductive output (egg dry weight/female dry weight); RF: relative fecundity (number of eggs by female/female dry weight); and RSOM (relative size at the onset of maturity). Cyrtograpsus angulatus showed a greater realized fecundity than C. altimanus, in accordance with the greater size of the former (20.88 ± 0.66 mm and 8.52 ± 0.12 mm carapace widths, respectively). The EW, RO, and RF presented similar values for both species, whereas C. altimanus had a greater RSOM than C. angulatus.