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Life history of the pea crab, Pinnotheres sinensis, in terms of infestation in the bivalve mollusc, Septifer virgatus

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 April 2009

Hodaka Asama  and
Kosaku Yamaoka
Hodaka Asama*
Affiliation:
Graduate School of Kuroshio Science, Kochi University, Monobe, Nankoku, Kochi 200, Japan
Kosaku Yamaoka
Affiliation:
Graduate School of Kuroshio Science, Kochi University, Monobe, Nankoku, Kochi 200, Japan
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Hodaka Asama, Graduate School of Kuroshio Science, Kochi University, Monobe, Nankoku, Kochi 200, Japan email: [email protected]
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Abstract

The inter-relationship between the pea crab Pinnotheres sinensis and its bivalve host Septifer virgatus was studied from July 2002 to December 2004. The infested bivalve generally contained a single crab (72.4–94.7%), but multiple infestation was also observed in some cases (5.3–27.6%). Seasonal fluctuations in the prevalence rate, sex ratio and ovigerous rate were examined. The prevalence rate and sex ratio increased in autumn and decreased from spring to summer. By contrast, the rate of the ovigerous female increased in summer and decreased in autumn. The carapace width of females was larger than that of males, and seasonal fluctuation in the carapace width was observed in the female crabs. All the females had a soft carapace whereas most males had a hard carapace. No females were observed outside the host, though a small number of males were observed outside it. Mating probably took place inside the host where females remained stationary, with males visiting different bivalves as well as spending much time outside the bivalves.

Keywords

life historyPinnotheres sinensisSeptifer virgatuscrabbivalveinfestation
Type
Research Article
Information
Marine Biodiversity Records , Volume 2 , January 2009 , e77
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2009

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References

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