MYZOBDELLA PLATENSIS (HIRUNDINIDA: PISCICOLIDAE) IS TRUE PARASITE of BLUE CRABS (CRUSTACEA: PORTUNIDAE)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Crescimento relativo de Macrobrachium acanthurus (Wiegmann, 1836) (Crustacea, Decapoda, Palaemonidae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Fertilidade do caranguejo de mangue Ucides cordatus (Linnaeus) (Crustacea, Brachyura, Ocypodidae), em Iguape (São Paulo, Brasil)

A total of 58 Ucides cordatus (Linnaeus, 1763) ovigerous females in final embryonic stage were collected in mangrove forest at Iguape (São Paulo). Each female were kept in laboratory until the larvae hatching and had their carapace width (CW) measured with caliper (0.05 mm) and the larval number (LN) calculated by volumetric method. The hatching rates (HR) were calculated for each animal's size class (5 mm). The values of LN and CW obtained were subjected to regression analyses and the best fitting model was chosen by comparing the obtained determination coefficients (R²). The fertility varied from 71,200 to 220,800 larvae (147,169 ± 32,070 larvae), corresponding to 41.7 to 76.8 mm CW (63.7±7.9 mm), respectively. The relationship LNxCW was expressed by the equation LN = 284.1CW1.5º¹ (N = 58; R² = 0.74; p < 0.01), that showed a positive correlation between the variables. Most part of ovigerous females (89.7%) showed their hatching during the nightly period. A negative correlation between HR and CW was observed in these animals (p < 0.05), probably due to reduction of spermatophores in the seminal receptacle (multiparous females) or due to senility in the females with large size. The biological studies of U. cordatus are very important for practices adoption that preserve and make the rational use of this recourse in Brazilian's mangrove forests.

Fecundidade em Macrobrachium acanthurus (Wiegmann, 1836) do Rio Ribeira de Iguape (Crustacea, Decapoda, Palaemonidae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Maturation and growth curves of Macrobrachium Carcinus (Linnaeus) (Crustacea, Decapoda, Palaemonidae) from Ribeira de Iguape River, southern Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Biologia populacional de Emerita brasiliensis Schmitt (Crustacea, Hippidae) na Praia Vermelha do Norte, Ubatuba (São Paulo, Brasil)

Emerita brasiliensis Schmitt, 1935 is a common mole crab called tatuíra in Brazil, with distribution from Espírito-Santo State (Brazil) to Buenos Aires Province (Argentina). Specimens were collected bimonthly from May/1992 through March/1993 with 4mm siffers mesh, in the intertidal region at Vermelha do Norte Beach, Ubatuba, São Paulo, Brazil. The animals were sexed and measured with a precision caliper of 0.1 mm (Cl = carapace length). Males presented cl amplitude from 3.4-17.3mm (13.2±2.1mm), and females from 13.8-26.3mm (20.5±1.8mm), showing a well-defined sexual dimorfism for this variable. The population presented a smaller incidence of males in relation to females (0.54:1.00), however in May/1992 an inverse pattern occurred (1.84:1.00). Ovigerous females were present in all samples with exception of May and September/1992 with greater frequencies in July/1992 and January/1993. It is probable that female maturity occurs is reached with 17mm CL, the smallest size in wich ovigerous females were found.

Relative abundance and population biology of the non-indigenous crab Charybdis hellerii (Crustacea: Brachyura: Portunidae) in a southwestern Atlantic estuary-bay complex

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

The species of Hippolyte Leach (Crustacea, Caridea, Hippolytidae) from Terminos Lagoon, southwestern Gulf of Mexico

The taxonomic identity of specimens of the genus Hippolyte Leach, 1814 of Laguna de Términos was considered including the colour and the presence-absence of tufts of plumose setae on the dorsal surface of the carapace and abdomen as secondary characteristics to morphological features of taxonomic value. Two groups were formed based on appearance: one transparent with setae and another green without setae. The analysis of five morphological characteristics in adult females of the two groups made it possible to identify only H. zostericola (Smith, 1873). Fecundity and fertility were similar (0.5>p>0.2) in both groups. The first zoea of both groups were also morphologically similar. Considering these results, it is concluded that the only species collected was H. zoslericola and that it has two phenotypical types. It is recomended that the morphological analysis of all larval stages be carried out.

Diel variation in abundance and size of the seabob shrimp Xiphopenaeus kroyeri (Crustacea, Penaeoidea) in the Ubatuba region, Southeastern Brazil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Relative growth, morphological sexual maturity, and size of Macrobrachium amazonicum (Heller 1862) (Crustacea, Decapoda, Palaemonidae) in a population with an entirely freshwater life cycle

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Population biology of shrimp Artemesia longinaris (Crustacea: Decapoda: Penaeidae) from the southern coast of Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Relação entre padrão comportamental, estágios do ciclo de muda e atividade de enzimas digestivas proteolíticas em juvenis do camarão marinho Litopenaeus vannamei (Crustacea: Penaeidae)

Shrimp farming in Brazil is a consolidated activity, having brought economical and social gains to several states with the largest production concentrated in the northeast. This fact is also reflected in higher feed intake, necessitating a more efficient feed management. Currently, management techniques already foresee food loss due to molting. In this sense, studies relating shrimp s digestive physiology, molting physiology and behavioral response of shrimp feed can optimize the feed management. Thus, our study aimed to evaluate the behavioral response of the marine shrimp L. vannamei (Crustacea: Penaeidae) in accordance with the stages of moulting cycle and feeding schedules based on higher or lower activity of proteolytic digestive enzymes; also, to investigate the influence of feeding schedule on hepatosomatic index and non-specific and specific protease activity (trypsin). Experiments were carried out at the Laboratory of Shrimp Behavioral Studies at UFRN in partnership with the Laboratory of Enzimology UFPE. Juveniles of L. vannamei weighting 5.25 g (+ 0.25 g) were kept in aquaria at a density of 33 shrimp m -2. In the first experiment, shrimp were fed in the light phase or in the dark phase for 8 days; in the ninth day, the animals were observed for 15 minutes every hour during the 12 hours of each phase of the photoperiod. We recorded the frequency of inactivity, exploration, food intake, burrowing, swimming and crawling behavior. At the end of the 12th observation session, the shrimp were sacrified and classified by the method of setogenesis in the molt cycle stages A, B, C, D0, D1, D2 or D3. We found that the shrimp in A stage show high levels of inactivity. Moreover, the frequency of food intake was very low. The shrimp in D3 stage also had low food intake and high inactivity associated with elevated frequencies of burrowing. In the second experiment, shrimp were kept in physiological acclimation to experimental conditions for 28 days, distributed in 12 treatments in the light phase and 12 treatments in the dark phase. In the end, the animals were sacrified and dissected to assess non-specific and specific protease activity (trypsin) activity. In general, these parameters did not vary among animals fed in the light phase and those fed in the dark phase. However, significant differences were found in the activity of specific and nonspecific proteases in relation to food treatment. In the light phase, the major proteolytic activities converged to 10 hours after the start of the light phase, while the lowest activities converged to 6 hours after the beginning of this phase. In the dark phase, the highest enzyme activity converged to 12 hours after the onset of phase, while the lowest activities converged to 3 hours after the onset of phase. In the third experiment, we sought to evaluate the behavioral responses of shrimp in relation to dietary treatments based on higher or lower activity of proteolytic enzymes, considering the results of the second experiment. The behavioral categories observed were the same as the ones in the first experiment, with observations of 30 minutes (15min before and 15min after food supply). We found variation in behavioral responses as a function of the treatments, with greater intake of food in shrimp fed during the period of greatest activity of proteolytic enzymes, in the light phase. Thus we see that periodic events associated with the shrimp s physiology interfere in their behavioral responses, revealing situations that are more adjustable to the provision of food, and consequently optimizing feeding management

Dinâmica populacional do caranguejo-uçá, Ucides cordatus (Linnaeus, 1763) (CRUSTACEA, BRACHYURA, UCIDIDAE) no município de Porto do Mangue, litoral norte do estado do Rio Grande do Norte

Decapod crustaceans are one of the most important portions of megafaunal of coastal waters, playing a role as modifier of the environment and controlling populations of other organisms. Among the Decapoda, crab (brachyuran) constitutes the dominant macrofauna of mangroves. Among brachyuran is the mangrove crab (Ucides cordatus, Linnaeus, 1763), which represents the main component of the macrofauna of mangroves, particularly in Northern and Northeastern Brazil. In Brazil, its distribution is known from the state of Amapá to the north of Santa Catarina. This species is distinguished by its economic importance, being one of the main fishing resources in Brazil, generating a significant impact on their natural populations. This reduction would result in loss of value to the product, preventing its commercialization. Although it´s great ecological and economic importance, there are few articles about the biological aspects of U. cordatus, mainly in the state of Rio Grande do Norte. This work aimed to study the population dynamics of the mangrove crab, Ucides cordatus (Linnaeus, 1763), in Conchas estuary, Porto do Mangue, northern coast of Rio Grande do Norte. During the period November 2009 to October 2010 the crabs were collected monthly, obeying predetermined lunar periods (new moon or full moon) in a mangrove area in Porto do Mangue - RN. With the aid of a steel caliper (0.01 mm) and a precision balance (0.01 g) were measured biometric variables related to the animal's carapace, major propodus chela, width of abdomen (female), length of gonopodium ( males) and total weight. In addition, it was recorded, the gonads and molt stages, for males and females. In total, 476 crabs were collected, with 338 males and 138 females. Males were larger, heavier and in greater proportion than females. The reproductive period for the species in this location was limited during the months November to May, suggesting a change in current environmental legislation for the closure period. Synchrony was observed between the morphological and physiological maturity with females maturing earlier, possibly, a reproductive strategy adopted, compared to the low fishing pressure in the area. The molting period occurred in the dry season peaking in October. The analysis of growth, based on the parameters of von Bertalanffy was calculated using the nonlinear fit using modes (AJMOD). High growth rates for both males (L = 7.54 cm, k = 0.95, t0 =- 00:08; tmax = 4.84) and females (L = 6.50, k = 1 , 2, t0 =- 0008; tmax = 3.28) were found, contrasting with data from the literature, using other techniques. Males had higher asymptotic width size and longevity, but a lower growth constant when compared with females. The estimated age, for males and females, reaching the minimum capture size was 1.82 years and 1.63 years respectively. The size of physiological maturity, when individuals are able to reproduce, was estimated at 1.4 years and 1.05 years, for males and females, respectively. The recruitment period for this species is seasonal, with two peaks of occurrence, one in the rainy season and one in the dry season. This work represented the first effort on understanding the ecology of the mangrove crab, to the northern coast of Rio Grande do Norte. However, further studies on its biology should be undertaken, especially those related to growth, and recruitment, where observed that literature is more scarce

Spermatozoal ultrastructure in three species of the genus Uca Leach, 1814 (Crustacea, Brachyura, Ocypodidae)

Morphological aspects of spermatozoa in marine animals have been used in recent decades as phylogenetic criteria (spermiotaxonomy). This paper presents ultrastructural descriptions of the spermatozoa from Uca maracoani, U. thayeri, and U. vocator. A small portion of the vas deferens of each species was examined under the transmission and scanning electron microscopy. The ultrastructural analysis showed that each spermatophore consists of a varying number of spermatozoa embedded in a dense fibrillar matrix surrounded by a membrane. The spermatozoa of U. maracoani, U. thayeri, and U. vocator are typical of brachyurans. The Voluminous acrosome is characterized by three different layers. The postero-lateral surface of the acrosome is cupped by the reduced cytoplasm, and the anterior surface is covered by the operculum. The perforatorium consists of coiled, helicoidal membranous tubules and is continuous with the cytoplasm. The nucleus is composed by uncondensed chromatin and presents several lateral arms distributed over the entire equatorial plane of the cell. The presence of the apical button is a well defined character among all species of the genus Uca, but in U. thayeri it was not observed. The accessory opercular ring can be found in the three studied species, but in distinct development degree-Two centrioles were detected in U. thayeri and U. vocator, but only one was found in U. maracoani. The presence of centrioles in the mature spermatozoa is the first account for the genus Uca upto-date. Considering the ultrastructure of the spermatozoa of U. maracoani, U. thayeri, and U. vocator, we suggest that these three species partially follow the morphological patterns previously described in other Thoracotremata brachyurans. The absence of the apical button in U. thayeri spermatozoa may represent an evolutionary novelty in the genus Uca. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Development of secondary sexual characters in the seabob shrimp Xiphopenaeus kroyeri (Heller 1862) (Crustacea, Decapoda, Penaeidae): a scanning electron microscope study

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