Size at sexual maturity, egg number and reproductive output of the snapping shrimp Alpheus euphrosyne euphrosyne De Man, 1897

Abstract

Aspects of the reproductive biology of snapping shrimp Alpheus euphrosyne euphrosyne inhabiting a tropical estuary were studied between August 2007 and July 2008 by examining 1309 females of 8.5–21.5 mm carapace length. Although the occurrence of ovigerous females was noted from October, the main breeding season extended from January to March. Size at 50% sexual maturity was estimated as 10.6±1.40 mm CL. Number of eggs per brood ranged from 141 to 1553 in females of 11.2 to 19.2 mm CL and mean absolute fecundity was estimated as 480±272 eggs. Regressions of log egg number on log total length, log carapace length and log weight revealed isometric relationships (p <0.01). Results of ANOVA revealed significant variation between mean short and long axes of eggs among five embryo developmental stages (P <0.05). The estimated egg batch 33 volume ranged from 4.99 to 32.09 mm3 with a mean of 12.44 mm3. Estimates of reproductive output from 41 females ranged between 8.21 to 31.25% with a mean value of 18.55±5.81.