Egg development and fecundity estimation in deep-sea red crab, Chaceon affinis (Geryonidae), off the Canary Islands (NE Atlantic)

6 pages, 5 figures, 1 table

The goal of this work was to elaborate on reproductive knowledge of the deep-sea red crab, Chaceon affinis, off the Canary Islands by providing information regarding its egg development and fecundity. Six stages for eggs were observed, from fully filled with yolk to the embryo occupying almost all the space inside the egg. A correlation was established between egg stage and the colour of the egg mass. Morphological analyses indicated that the eggs are spherical in shape and that they increase the 10.7% in maximum diameter from the initial to the final stage. Fecundity (AFE, annual fecundity estimation), defined as the number of eggs borne per females, was calculated with two methods, manual by hand counter and using an automated morphology system. No statistical differences for the relationships carapace width (CW)–AFE and total weight (TW)–AFE were detected between the two methods. The number of eggs ranged from 199,690 to 566,956 (105–160 mm CW). A positive correlation was obtained between AFE and CW (r2 = 0.672) and TW (r2 = 0.785)

The authors are indebted to José A. Pérez-Peñalvo, Rosa Domínguez-Seoane and Eliseba García for skilful technical assistance. Financial support was received from the EU ERDF in the framework of the PIC INTERREG III B project PESCPROF-2 (03/MAC/4.2/M8) and from the Spanish Government in the framework of project REDECA (CTM2005-07712-C03/MAR)

Peer reviewed