Biology, distribution, and abundance of Allopetrolisthes punctatus (Guérin, 1835) (Decapoda, Anomura, Porcellanidae), in the rocky subtidal of Chome, central Chile
- Autores: Francisco Santa Cruz, Marco A. Retamal
- Localización: Latin American Journal of Aquatic Research, ISSN-e 0718-560X, ISSN 0716-1069, Vol. 46, Nº. 2, 2018, págs. 383-391
- Idioma: inglés
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Resumen
The porcellanid crabs are diverse and abundant species inhabiting the intertidal and subtidal rocky substrate. One particular species is Allopetrolisthes punctatus, a medium-sized crab, poorly studied but strikingly abundant in some places of Chile. Near Chome (central Chile) large aggregations have been reported by local fishermen. A direct population assessment with semi-autonomous scuba diving was performed to evaluate stock structure, distribution, and abundance. A monthly monitoring was established to analyze the temporal variability of biological traits during a one-year time period. Dense crab aggregations were observed over the naked unprotected rocky substrate, with corporal size and sexual proportion spatially segregated. Allopetrolisthes punctatus showed a relatively high fecundity (164-8,741 eggs) and uninterrupted yearly spawning, which seems to favor the quick and successful settlement for this species in Chome.
