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.

When it comes to the size of people, the new fecundity out of ovigerous ladies off equivalent versions (3.0- to 4.5-mm SL) consuming L. nassa and you can P. auritula shells wasn’t significantly some other |$(P = 0.228)$|? , since fecundity out of ovigerous people computing dos.0- to 3.0-mm SL inhabiting C. atratum is actually rather more than compared to the people of one’s exact same dimensions in Meters. nodulosa shells.

Dialogue

This new P. tortugae people education shown a leading and you will continued reproductive hobby towards Anchieta Isle. The brand new fecundity filed try homogeneous all year long, plus the reduced variability inserted are perhaps about resource job (shells) and you will differences in animal dimensions. In general, P. tortugae fecundity, eggs diameter, and you will egg frequency demonstrated a tendency to boost with expanding SL.

This is exactly explained by lives course off P

This new bimodality in size-frequency delivery (complete and you may month-to-month) based in the ovigerous females’ society was uncommon that will mirror employment pulses otherwise behavioural variations ( Diaz and you will Conde, 1989). tortugae that happens during a period of couple of years, with clear continuity for the private development. The next peak sizes-regularity delivery about larger size categories corresponded so you can a strong employment men and women regarding the next seasons out-of lifetime, and therefore belonged for the first level in loveaholics size-frequency shipments in the earlier season, and so on ( Mantelatto and you can Sousa, when you look at the push).

In line with the reduced sized ovigerous girls seized (step one.8 mm of SL), we think that sexual readiness might result prior to from the lifestyle cycle out-of P. tortugae here. Centered on Lancaster (1990), the current presence of small ovigerous people can indicate the brand new adaptation from the types in order to regional layer supply primarily when sufficient shells is actually not available. Wada ainsi que al. (1995) raised the hypothesis away from precocious reproductive development whenever sufficient shells try scarce.

Regardless of the issues among Pagurus, Paguristes, and also the “Pylopagurus-like” variety (get a hold of addition), a comparative research out of fecundity are presented. The fresh new fecundity filed to possess P. tortugae on Anchieta Island is less than one reported to other diogenid hermit crabs (having an evaluation, pick Desk We into the Mantelatto and you will Garcia, 1999), and it species learned by Negreiros-Fransozo ainsi que al. (1992). This reality tends to be regarding brand new interspecific battle on the analyzed city, in which P. tortugae communicates along with other hermit kinds ( Mantelatto and you may Garcia, 2001). In addition, we would assume that the low fecundity for the varieties took place while the a function of the low sized P. tortugae females versus almost every other diogenids quoted, along with regards to the populace studied by Negreiros-Fransozo et al. (1992).

A version from inside the quantity of eggs are seen inside exact same proportions class, probably exhibiting something out-of numerous spawning inside the exact same reproductive year ( Ameyaw-Akumfi, 1975; Fotheringham, 1976; Varadara, 1982; Mantelatto and you will Fransozo, 1997; Mantelatto and you can Garcia, 1999). Which variation for the fecundity by dimensions category is actually swayed sometimes by the what amount of spawns in the same reproductive course or from the useless layer occupancy. The low fecundity present in some individuals happens since the a purpose of your presence of really more youthful ovigerous females thought to be spawning for the first time. Considering Somerton and you may Meyers (1983), these types of primiparous female produce a lower level of egg than simply multiparous of them. The newest bimodality regarding populace design aids this theory.