FECUNDITY OF CARDISOMA CRASSUM SMITH, 1870 IN AN ESTUARY OF THE MEXICAN PACIFIC

Abstract

Fecundity in crustaceans is generally defined as the number of eggs produced by a female during<br />spawning season in particular and often expressed in terms of body size. Among the brachyuran<br />there is considerable variation in fertility. This study aimed to estimate fecundity in Cardisoma<br />crassum Smith, 1870 which is important mangrove ecosystem specie as it helps in the process of<br />degradation of organic matter produced by the mangrove forest. A total of 17 ovigerous females<br />were collected, with an average weight of 122.9 ± 32.54 g. The average carapace width was 60.03 ±<br />7.64 mm and 46.97 ± 4.6 mm in length. The ovigerous mass presented an average weight of 11.78 ±<br />2.9 g (fresh weight) and 1.612g ± 0.53 g (dry weight). The average number of eggs was 475457.6 ±<br />117316.8 and 317598.62 ± 116069.60 in fresh and dry weight, respectively. The number of eggs<br />accounted for C. crassum is in the range of eggs produced by other gecarcinides.