Brachyura (Crustacea, Decapoda) associated to Schizoporella unicornis (Bryozoa, Gymnolaemata) in Ubatuba Bay (SP), Brazil

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1998
Authors:F. L. M. Mantelatto, Souza-Carey M. M.
Journal:Brazilian Archives of Biology and Technology
Volume:41
Issue:2
Pagination:212-217
Date Published:1998
ISSN:0365-0979
Abstract:

This work characterizes the composition of Brachyura from Schizoporella unicornis. The samples were collected in 1995 at Itagua Beach, Ubatuba (SP), at three month intervals, during all seasons from January to December. The Bryozoa colonies were obtained by snorkeling at a depth of five meters in daylight. A total of 323 specimens were collected from four families (Xanthidae, Portunidae, Majidae and Grapsidae). Pachygrapsus transversus, Hexapanopeus schimitti, and Menippe nodifrons occurred in all seasons. The highest and lowest number of individuals occurred during the spring and autumn, respectively. Xanthidae exhibited the highest density during the summer, autumn, and spring, while Grapsidae exhibited the highest density in winter: It was noted the presence of Charibdis hellerii, an portunid from Indo-Pacific ocean. The diversity of species obtained in addition to an accentuated number of immature and ovigerous females specimens, suggested that Schizoporella colonies were a place of reproduction and development.

Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith