First record and preliminary information on the biology of the deep sea African crab, Chaceon gordonae (Ingle, 1985) (Brachyura: Geryonidae) in Saint Peter and Saint Paul Archipelago, Brazil

• Published in: Latin american journal of aquatic research 2016-05, Vol.44 (2), p.392-400
• Main Authors: Ferreira, Romulo C.P, Nunes, Diogo M, Shinozaki-Mendes, Renata A, Pires, Alessandra M.A, Hazin, Fabio H.V
• Format: Article
• Language: eng ; spa
• ISSN: 0718-560X; 0718-560X
• DOI: 10.3856/vol44-issue2-fulltext-20

Several studies conducted in Brazilian oceanic islands have generated many results of great significance for the understanding of these ecosystems. However, most of these studies have been restricted to shallow waters, not going beyond 200 m depth. In this work, seven exploratory deep-water fishing surveys were carried out with bottom traps at Saint Peter and Saint Paul Archipelago, between 2012 and 2014, at depths ranging from 300 to 700 m. During these surveys the presence of a deep-sea crab, identified as Chaceon gordonae was recorded, with 458 specimens being caught. Of the sampled specimens, 252 were males and 206 were females. The carapace length (CL) of sampled crabs measured, on the average, 110.81 [+ or -] 14.52 mm for males and 102.00 [+ or -] 16.55 mm for females. In general, the [[beta].sub.1] parameter of the length-weight relationship indicates a positive allometric growth. A comparison of linear regression between the carapace length and right chela length and width for males suggested a morphological maturity of 108.90 and 110.10 mm CL, respectively, whereas the regression between carapace length and abdomen width in females indicated a size at morphological maturity of 84.00 mm CL.