Author(s): Sudha Devi AR, Smija MK

Abstract: The present study analyzed the growth and moulting pattern in the freshwater crab Travancoriana schirnerae inhabiting the areca plantations of Mananthavady, Wayanad, Kerala over a period of one year (June 2013 to July 2014). The interrelationships between various morphometric characters, viz., carapace width (CW)-length (CL)/weight were estimated on a total of 610 crabs. The moulting pattern was monitored in relation to frequency, moult increment and intermoult period under laboratory conditions. Results indicated that the regression values for CW-weight and CW-CL relationships were found highly significant (r2= 0.870 and 0.904 for males and 0.885 and 0.906 for females, respectively). The exponential values (b) for CW-weight relationship (1.945 and 1.704 for males and females, respectively) showed a negative allometry. Males grew more rapidly than females as evidenced from the markedly larger moult increments in CW and weight. There is significant variation in the intermoult intervals between the sexes; tend to be longer for females, related to their higher energetic outlay for reproduction.

Pages: 391-396  |  1610 Views  203 Downloads

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