Size at maturity, reproductive cycle, and fecundity of the southern California brown box crab Lopholithodes foraminatus and implications for developing a new targeted fishery

Author:

Stroud Ashley1,Culver Carolynn S.12,Page Henry M.1

Affiliation:

1. Marine Science Institute University of California Santa Barbara Santa Barbara California USA

2. California Sea Grant, Scripps Institution of Oceanography University of California San Diego La Jolla California USA

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveThe brown box crab Lopholithodes foraminatus is a member of the king and stone crab family (Lithodidae) that occurs in deepwater along the eastern Pacific coast. Historically, landings in California have been low for this species, but an increase in fishing pressure prompted the state to designate it as an emerging fishery and implement an experimental fishery program. With no known biological studies of California brown box crab, essential fisheries information is needed to evaluate the feasibility of a new targeted fishery.MethodsUsing field sampling and observations, along with laboratory studies, we investigated elements of reproductive capacity of the brown box crab in southern California.ResultWe found that females reach physiological maturity at a carapace width (CW) between 50.8 and 71.7 mm, and males do so at a CW between 43.3 and 66.3 mm. Morphometric maturity analysis showed a clear inflection point of abdomen width between immature and mature females. Females were 50% functionally mature at 75 mm CW. Morphometric and functional maturity was not detected for males, albeit samples of small male crabs were extremely limited, thus warranting further study. Females followed a biennial reproduction pattern: mating occurred in the fall, followed by an approximately 18‐month brooding period, with hatching in the second spring after mating. Fecundity was positively related to size and ranged from 8352 eggs/brood for a 67.8‐mm‐CW female to 62,181 eggs/brood for a 130.5‐mm‐CW female.ConclusionThese findings can inform the evaluation of a fishery for the brown box crab, including potential management strategies and models for assessing stock condition.

Publisher

Wiley

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3