ISSN:
1440-1703
Keywords:
Brood number
;
Brood size
;
Incubation in burrows
;
Ocypodid crabs
;
Reproductive traits
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract Reproductive traits of three ocypodid crabs,Scopimera globosa, Ilyoplax pusillus andMacrophthalmus japonicus, were compared.S. globosa andI. pusillus, inhabiting the upper-middle intertidal zone, produced 1–2 large broods per year, whereasM. japonicus, inhabiting the lower intertidal zone, produced 4–5 small broods per year. InS. globosa andI. pusillus, ovigerous females remained in their plugged burrows without feeding until their eggs hatched. On the other hand, femaleM. japonicus fed actively on surface mud while incubating. We concluded that few large broods may be advantageous in crab species that incubate in burrows, whereas continuous small broods may be advantageous in species that feed actively while incubating.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02346941
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