Abstract
Large numbers of Lithodes murrayi collected by traps and trawls during Cruise MD.03 (1974) of M.S. “Marion-Dufresne” around Crozet Islands, have been studied, and comparisons made with other species of lithodid crabs. After statistical analysis of data relative to some body parts of males and females, and calculation of length-weight relationships, various aspects of reproduction are discussed: size at sexual maturity, size distribution of females in relation to their reproductive condition, fecundity (which is shown to be low), and egg-size variations. Analysis of the diet revealed a great diversity of prey, including algae, as well as necrophagous and other opportunistic tendencies, which are comparable with similar results obtained for the king crab Paralithodes camtschatica. Four groups of parasites or associated animals have been recorded for the first time from L. murrayi: rhizocephalans (acting as castrating agents), isopods, hydroids and polychaetes (spirorbs). Finally, the prospects of successful commercial fishing of L. murrayi are briefly discussed.
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Communicated by J.M. Pérès, Marseille
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Arnaud, P.M., Do-Chi, T. Données biologiques et biométriques sur les lithodes Lithodes murrayi (Crustacea: Decapoda: Anomura) des îles Crozet (SW océan Idien). Mar. Biol. 39, 147–159 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00387000
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00387000