Biology of the Hairy Mangrove Crab, Sersema Huzardii (Decapoda: Graspidae) from a Tropical Estuarine Lagoon.

The size composition, growth pattern, food habits, reproductive biology and feedstuff preferences of the mangrove crab, Sesarma huzardii in a tropical estuarine lagoon were investigated. The carapace length ranged from 1.5cm to 4.7cm and weight from 4.5g to 27.8g. The crab exhibited negative allometric growth. The condition factor ranged between 3.6 and 13.5 and decreased with size. The crabs fed mainly on diatoms, algae, higher plants and insect parts. The sex ratio was 1: 0.6 (male/female) which was significantly different from the expected 1:1 ratio. The fecundity ranged between 1.2 and 3.5 million eggs. The average fecundity was 2.5million eggs. Egg diameter ranged from 0.21 to 0.33mm with a mean diameter of 0.24mm. The crab had the highest gain in weight when fed with white mangrove leaves and least with animal food. (Aderonke Omolara Lawal-Are* and Hilary Nwankwo; Biology of the Hairy Mangrove Crab, Sersema Huzardii (Decapoda: Graspidae) from a Tropical Estuarine Lagoon.Journal of American Science 2011;7(7):402-408). (ISSN: 1545-1003). http://www.americanscience.org.