International Journal of Marine Science 2016, Vol.6, No.22, 1-14
11
Fig. 12. Regression of eggs number against carapace width (C.W) in
D. blanfordi
at Korangi Creek
The total 18843 number of eggs were counted in ovigerous females of
D. blanfordi
at Clifton and 32602 at Korangi
Creek (Tables 5 and 6). Mean fecundity was 338.1 ±111.4 eggs / brood at Clifton and 339.12±78.92 eggs/brood at
Korangi Creek. The range of egg size was 2.57- 3.5 µm at Clifton beach and the maximum egg size was found in
July (3.4-3.5 µm) whereas at Korangi Creek the range of egg size was 2.89- 3.8 µm and the maximum egg size was
found in June (3.2-3.8 µm) (Figs. 13 and 14).
Fig.14. Seasonal variation in egg size (µm) of
D.blanfordi
ovigerous females at Korangi Creek
The data resulting from present investigation show the high density, distribution and population structure of the
D.
blanfordi
. There was significant variation found in number of individuals, sites throughout the study. There was an
apparent temporal variation in the population structure over the sampling period (August) and its appearance was the
recruitment of small size crabs.
The morphometric measurements have been used to measure the relative growth in crustaceans (Siddiqui and Ahmed,
1992). During the present study the relationship of carapace length and carapace width for male and female crabs of
D. blanfordi
is isometric i.e., carapace length is increasing with carapace width but the relationship between carapace
length and width is not appropriate to express all biological alternations that occur in crab’s life (Santos et al., 1995).
Fig.13. Seasonal variation in egg size (µm) of
D.blanfordi
ovigerous female at Clifton beach
