Variability of size at maturity of the warrior swimming crab, Callinectes bellicosus (Stimpson, 1859) (Brachyura, Portunidae), along a latitudinal gradient in the Gulf of California

Abstract

For the warrior swimming crab,Callinectes bellicosus(Stimpson, 1859), we determined how size at maturity is affected by sea surface temperature along a latitudinal gradient. Samples came from the east side coast of the Gulf of California. Data of carapace width ofC. bellicosuswere collected monthly in 2012-2013 from commercial catches in three areas: northern, central, and southern. Average temperature increases from north (23.06°C) to south (25.4°C), and carapace width increases from north (106 mm) to south (117 mm). Size at maturity for males and females was directly related to temperature and inversely related to latitude, in contrast to rock crabs and shrimps in the Gulf of California and other regions. Plausible explanations and implications forC. bellicosusfishing are offered.