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Reproductive biology of the crab Halicarcinus planatus (Brachyura, Hymenosomatidae) in sub-Antarctic waters

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Abstract

Halicarcinus planatus is the only member of the family Hymenosomatidae that occurs in the southern tip of South America. The aim of this study is to determine both the reproductive cycle and reproductive traits of the population of H. planatus nearest to southern limit of its geographical distribution. Results of this work allow us to determine two consecutive reproductive periods in this species. Maximum values of gonadosomatic index, oocyte diameter and ovarian development in March and August indicate that spawning takes place in May and September. The simultaneous ovarian maturity and the embryonic development show that female H. planatus can re-mature its ovary. The capability of H. planatus to develop their ovaries while females are ovigerous is a unique feature among the sub-Antarctic decapods and probably an adaptative advantage to extreme environments. Based on the different biological features and recent environmental changes along the Western Antarctic Peninsula, our hypothesis is that H. planatus possesses the potential to invade shallow waters and intertidal zones in this region.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to O. Florentín, F. Tapella, P. Pérez-Barros, M.P. Sotelano, M.C. Romero, G. Scioscia and M. Liljesthröm for their assistance in the field; to M. Kittlein for developing adaptation of MATURE routine for Excel. E. Spivak, S. Thatje, M.C. Romero and two anonymous reviewers provided useful suggestions for manuscript improvement. This study was funded by the Administración de Parques Nacionales (APN 829) and Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica (PICT 01-1385). MJD has a doctoral fellowship from CONICET, Argentina. This paper is based on work done by MJD in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the PhD degree at Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Argentina.

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  1. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas (CADIC), Houssay 200, V9410CAB, Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

    Mariano J. Diez & Gustavo A. Lovrich

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  1. Mariano J. Diez
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Correspondence to Mariano J. Diez.

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Diez, M.J., Lovrich, G.A. Reproductive biology of the crab Halicarcinus planatus (Brachyura, Hymenosomatidae) in sub-Antarctic waters. Polar Biol 33, 389–401 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-009-0716-0

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