Somatic and relative growth of portunus spinicarpus (Stimpson, 1971) (crustacea portunidae) at Santa Catarina northern's coast, Brazil

Abstract

Somatic and relative growth of Portunus spinicarpus were studied in Santa Catarina, Brazil. Samples were obtained through the Project Camarões da Baía da Babitonga (CEPSUL/IBAMA, UNIVALI, UNIVILLE, FURG) at a depth range of 10-100 m in the coast area that corresponds to Sao Francisco do Sul and Joinville, during eight cruises performed from July, 2004 to July, 2006. Carapace width varied between 16.0 and 92.0 mm and 18.0 and 103.0 mm for males and females, respectively. Females coefficient of growth (k = 0.0055/day) did not differ significantly from males (k = 0.0052/day), however females reached larger asymptotic size (LC_= 103.28) than males (LC_ = 92.00). Width-weight relationship for females was isometric while for males two patterns were observed: a negative allometric for individuals smaller than 60.0 mm and a positive allometric for individuals with CW equal to 60.0 mm or bigger. That relationship was significantly different between sexes. Longevity was 2,4 years for males and 2,3 years for females. Overall, the results demonstrate that relative growth in P. spinicarpus correspond to that in other species of Decapods, except that females are bigger than males and that should be further examined.