Length-Weight Relationship and Reproductive Features of the Mediterranean Green Crab, Carcinus aestuarii Nardo, 1847 (Decapoda: Brachyura) in the Eastern Black Sea, Turkey

Abstract

The length/width-weight relationships and reproductive traits of Carcinus aestuarii Nardo, 1847 caught from Ordu, the Eastern Black Sea, Turkey were assessed in this study. A total of 565 specimens were analyzed (286 males and 279 females) and their carapace width (CW) ranged from 1.25 to 8.55 cm in males and from 2.1 to 9.2 cm in females. The carapace length (CL) oscillated from 1.0 to 6.6 cm in males and 1.4 to 7.0 cm in females. Relationships between carapace length and weight, and between carapace width and weight were found as W=0.574 CL2 (95) (r=0.97) and W=0.213 CW3.117 (r=0.95), respectively. The overall sex ratio of males to females was 1:1.02. The average number and diameter of eggs were 272 162.8 and 420 gm. The present findings will make an important contribution to the knowledge of growth and reproduction of the species C. aestuarii in the Eastern Black Sea.