Epibiosis and molting in two species of Callinectes (Decapoda: Portunidae) from Brazil
Loading...
Date
Authors
Negreiros-Fransozo, María Lucía
Costa, T. M.
Fransozo, Adilson
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Universidad de Costa Rica
Abstract
Description
The external infestatíon of Callinectes omatus Ordway, 1863 and Callinectes danae Smith, 1869, in particular cirrípeds, was studied for two consecutive years in the Ubatuba Bay (SP) (230 26' S and 45° 02' W). Bryozoans, polychaetes and cirripeds were found on both swimming crab species, but cirrípeds were the most abundant and frequent. The number of infested swimming crabs increased proportionally to carapace size, but not surpassing 30 %, suggesting an absence of terminal anecdysis in both species. The establishment of the pernicious organisrns on their hosts is influenced by other factors, such as their habit of burying thernselves in sediments. The correlation between molting activity in adult specimens of both sexes and the low incidence of epizoonts suggest that C. omatus and C. danae may be molting after maturity.
La infestación externa de Callinectes ornatus Ordway 1863 y Callínectes danae Smith 1
La infestación externa de Callinectes ornatus Ordway 1863 y Callínectes danae Smith 1
Keywords
epibiosis, infestation, swimming crab, portunidae, cirríped, molt