Abstract

SENKMAN, Eloisa et al. Fecundity and oxygen consumption of the freshwater crab Trichodactylus borellianus (Decapoda: Trichodactylidae) in the alluvial valley of Middle Paraná (Argentina). Hidrobiológica [online]. 2014, vol.24, n.3, pp.287-296. ISSN 0188-8897.

This paper analyzes the fecundity of Trichodactylus borellianus during a water cycle in the area of the Middle Paraná (Argentina) and the oxygen consumption of ovigerous females in experimental conditions. Mean and standard deviation values of fecundity (96 ± 36 eggs), egg wet mass (0.11 ± 0.08 g), egg volume (0.40 ± 0.08 mm3) and reproductive effort (0.22 ± 0.1) were obtained. Oxygen consumption no differed between ovigerous females, non-ovigerous females and males, but different however if between ovigerous females with eggs in different stages of development. Oxygen consumption in ovigerous females of T. borellianus shows a tendency to simultaneously invest energy in parental care (egg incubation) and in the development of gonads to optimize reproduction.

Keywords : Decapods; island water; ovigerous female; physiology; South America.