Population structure of Callichirus major (Say 1818) (Crustacea: Callianassidae) and conservation considerations at Southeast coast of São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

Globally, there is limited knowledge about management and conservation of Callianassidae family. Their catches seem to be recently increasing in several parts of the world and evidences raise concern on the need of specialized literature focused on populations monitoring. At Southeast of Brazil, the species Callichirus major (Say 1818), known as the ghost shrimp, is frequently captured for use as bait in sport fishing and, according to previous studies, the overexploitation could threaten the population. The aim of this study was evaluated over a year this harmful human pressure on the species C. major in two beaches contiguous but susceptible to different anthropogenic impacts due to the existence of legislation on one beach that prohibits the capture of this crustacean. The population of C. major presented where the prohibition regulation does not exist a density almost three times lower when compared to the beach that prohibits the capture, with individuals with smaller carapace oval area and a shorter reproductive period. This paper alert to some evidence of C. major structure population disturbance resulting from its exploitation at Southeast of Brazil. Recommendations were also addressed to conservation management considering the species’ ecological importance.