6). Fecundity was significantly higher |$(P = 0.001) \ $| in ovigerous females occupying heavier shells |$( <\rm>\gt 3.0 \ <\rm>)$|? . Significant differences |$(P \lt 0.05)$| were registered in fecundity of ovigerous females of different sizes. The number of eggs produced by ovigerous females measuring more than 3.1-mm SL was higher |$(P = 0.001)$| than the fecundity of those females measuring 1.8- to 3.0-mm SL. In relation to the shell species, the fecundity of the ovigerous females in L. nassa and P. auritula shells (the larger ones) was not significantly different, nor was that of the ovigerous females occupying C. atratum and M. nodulosa shells. However, the number of eggs produced by the ovigerous females inhabiting P. auritula shells was significant higher |$(P = 0.001)$| than the fecundity of those in C. atratum and M. nodulosa.
Regarding how big is people, the brand new fecundity regarding ovigerous women out of comparable sizes (step three.0- so you can cuatro.5-mm SL) consuming L. nassa and P. auritula shells wasn’t notably additional |$(P = 0.228)$|? , as the fecundity away from ovigerous girls computing dos.0- to three.0-mm SL inhabiting C. atratum is actually significantly higher than compared to the individuals of same dimensions in Meters. nodulosa shells.
Discussion
This new P. tortugae inhabitants degree found a top and you may proceeded reproductive pastime toward Anchieta Island. The latest fecundity recorded is homogeneous all year long, plus the low variability entered is possibly regarding funding job (shells) and differences in creature proportions. Typically, P. tortugae fecundity, eggs diameter, and you will egg volume demonstrated a tendency to improve that have growing SL.
Brand new bimodality in proportions-volume shipment (full and you may monthly) based in the ovigerous females’ inhabitants was strange and might echo employment pulses otherwise behavioral differences ( Diaz and you may Conde, 1989)
This can be said of the lifetime duration from P. tortugae that happens during a period of 2 years, that have clear continuity in the individual gains. Another top in size-regularity shipping on huge dimensions groups corresponded so you can an effective recruitment of individuals on the 2nd season regarding existence, which belonged toward first peak sizes-regularity delivery in the earlier season, and the like ( Mantelatto and Sousa, inside force).
In accordance with the reduced measurements of ovigerous women caught (step one.8 mm from SL), we believe one to intimate maturity could happen prior to regarding life course out-of P. tortugae in this area. According to Lancaster (1990), the existence of small ovigerous lady can indicate the latest version out-of this new types so you’re able to regional layer availableness mainly whenever enough shells is not available. Wada et al. (1995) boosted the theory off precocious reproductive development whenever sufficient shells is scarce.
Despite the problems one of the Pagurus, Paguristes, and the “Pylopagurus-like” types (pick introduction), a comparative data off fecundity is presented. The fresh new fecundity recorded to have P. tortugae towards the Anchieta Isle is actually lower than one to stated to other diogenid hermit crabs (to have an evaluation, select Desk We for the Mantelatto and you will Garcia, 1999), as well as it kinds studied from the Negreiros-Fransozo ainsi que al. (1992). This reality is generally linked to the newest interspecific competition regarding read city, where P. tortugae communicates along with other hermit variety ( Mantelatto and you can Garcia, 2001). Furthermore, we may assume that the lower fecundity regarding the varieties took place as the a purpose of the low size of P. tortugae women versus other diogenids cited, as well as in relation to the population examined by the Negreiros-Fransozo et al. (1992).
A variation inside amount of eggs are observed within the same size class, probably indicating a process out-of several spawning in same reproductive year ( Ameyaw-Akumfi, 1975; Fotheringham, 1976; Varadara, 1982; Mantelatto and you may Fransozo, 1997; Mantelatto and you may Garcia, 1999). This type when you look at the fecundity because of the size group is swayed often by what amount of spawns in identical reproductive years or because of the useless cover occupancy. The lower fecundity found in some individuals occurs once the a features of your presence away from most young ovigerous girls presumed the perfect match nedir as spawning for the first time. Predicated on Somerton and you will Meyers (1983), such primiparous ladies generate a lowered quantity of egg than multiparous of those. The newest bimodality away from inhabitants framework aids which theory.
