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Reproductive Aspects of a Tropical Population of the Fiddler Crab Uca annulipes (H. Milne Edwards, 1837) (Brachyura: Ocypodidae) at Costa Do Sol Mangrove, Maputo Bay, southern Mozambique

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Abstract

Uca annulipes(H. Milne Edwards) is the dominant fiddler crab inhabiting mangrove forests in East Africa. However, several aspects concerning its reproduction are poorly known. Such information is necessary for a better understanding of several biological aspects occurring in this species. The aim of this study was to assess the reproductive biology of Uca annulipes as well as some factors determining its breeding season. Samplings were undertaken from January to December 2002 at Costa do Sol, a tropical mangrove forest around Maputo Bay, southern Mozambique. Crabs were randomly sampled, measured for carapace width (CW) and checked for the presence of eggs on female pleopods. Like most tropical brachyurans, Uca annulipes follows a continuous reproduction throughout the year with peaks of spawning during summer season and low frequency of egg-bearing females during winter. The frequency of ovigerous females was correlated with the air temperature (r 2= 0.652, p < 0.05) and rainfall (r 2= 0.897, p < 0.001), with the last parameter being the most important factor regulating the reproductive activity of this crab.

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  1. Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, C.P, 257, Maputo, Mozambique

    Carlos Litulo

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Litulo, C. Reproductive Aspects of a Tropical Population of the Fiddler Crab Uca annulipes (H. Milne Edwards, 1837) (Brachyura: Ocypodidae) at Costa Do Sol Mangrove, Maputo Bay, southern Mozambique. Hydrobiologia 525, 167–173 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:HYDR.0000038864.38435.6a

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:HYDR.0000038864.38435.6a

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