Growth and longevity of the spider crab Libinia ferreirae (Majoidea, Epialtidae)

Abstract

We estimated the growth parameters of the spider crab, Libinia ferreirae (age, asymptotic size and growth rate) using the von Bertalanffy growth equation model. We obtained nine cohorts for female carapace asymptotic width (CW ∞ ) = 64.32 mm, growth coefficient (day -1 ) (k) = 0.0027 e t 0 = 0.77 days) and seven for males (CW ∞ = 81.93 mm, k= 0.0021 e t 0 = 0.49 days). The longevity for males was higher than that for females, estimated 2,156 days (5.91 years) and 1,706 days (4.68 years), respectively. The growth curves for males and females differed (F = 34.67 e p < 0.001). Males reached gonadal maturity before morphometric maturity and occurred at 8.8 and 16.6 months of life, respectively. Females reach gonad and morphometric maturity synchronously and this was estimated to occur at about 11.42 months of life. These crabs invest a great amount of energy in growth during a brief period of their development until reaching the terminal moult. This growth strategy would bring less wear to the organism and consequently a greater longevity. KeywordsGrowth, von Bertalanffy, puberty moult, age, symbiotic relationship original arTiCle Nauplius, 28: e2020003 CORRESPONDING AUTHOR

Ontogenetic niche specialization of the spider crab Libinia ferreirae associated with the medusa Lychnorhiza lucerna

“…After decrease, recruitment and growth of both species followed during the productive spring and summer months. We found that L. ferreirae lives in association with L. lucerna until the crab reaches or is close to reaching sexual maturity that happens between 8 and 11 months ( Gonçalves et al 2020c ). Crabs leave the medusa when the inner spaces of the medusa are not sufficiently large for them to remain inside ( Corrington 1927 ; Gutsell 1928 ; Nogueira and Haddad 2005 ).…”

Individual growth and mortality of Rhithropanopeus harrisii (Decapoda: Panopeidae) in the estuarine region of Patos Lagoon, Southern Brazil

“…Thereafter, a pooled VBGF was estimated. Maximum longevity (T max ) was calculated by the inverted von Bertalanffy equation, using 99 % of the asymptotic size as recommended by D'Incao and Fonseca 2000, and recently supported by investigations on brachyurans (Miazaki et al, 2019;Gonçalves et al, 2020). Average maximum longevity was estimated by 95 % of the largest animals (Taylor, 1965).…”