S. Goshima et al., Maturity in male stone crab Hapalogaster dentata (Anomura : Lithodidae) and its application for fishery management, J CRUS BIOL, 20(4), 2000, pp. 641-646
Male size at maturity is important information for management of crab fishe
ries. Morphometric and/or gonadal maturity, which have been used to estimat
e size at maturity for many male crustaceans, were examined as potential in
dicators of functional maturity using small, unfished stone crab Hapalogast
er dentata as a model species. Morphometric size of maturity as estimated b
y the change of the allometric relationship between carapace length (CL) an
d chela height was 5.2 mm CL. The size at gonadal maturity as estimated by
histological examination of the gonad and vasa deferentia was 5.3 mm CL. Th
e functional size at maturity as estimated by observing precopulatory guard
ing pairs in the field was 9.5 mm CL, much larger than the former two estim
ates. Size-assortative mating was observed between guarding males and guard
ed females. Female choice for larger males and advantage of the larger male
s in mating fights may be the reasons why such discrepancy between morphome
tric and/or gonadal maturity and functional maturity exist. We suggest that
minimum legal size limit for decapod crustaceans should be determined by t
he functional maturity-actual size to participate in mating-and that the si
ze of functional maturity is useful information for conservation-oriented m
anagement.