Ontogenic allometry and sexual maturity of the hermit crab, Diogenes alias McLaughlin & Holthuis, 2001 (Decapoda, Anomura)

Abstract

Abstract Growth studies on Anomura, especially hermit crabs, are relatively limited, due to the complexity in constructing generalized growth models as well as the heterogeneity of the group. Despite Diogenes alias being one of the most abundant species in the study area, there is a lack of information regarding its sexual dimorphism and maturity. The present study aims to evaluate its ontogenic allometry, using Jolicoeur’s multivariate allometric coefficient. The specimens were collected biweekly from trawl fishing grounds off the Mumbai coast for one year. Sexual dimorphism was patent at the larger cheliped width in males and the wider shield width in females, which was attributed to the differential energy allocation by both male and female. The size of morphological sexual maturity was established at 7.6 mm shield length for males, and at 6.2 mm in females.