BREEDING AND MOLTING OF GAETICE DEPRESSUS(DE HAAN) (BRACHYURA: GRAPSIDAE) UNDER LABORATORY CONDITIONS

Abstract

Oviposition, release of larvae and molting were investigated for individual Gaetice depressus (DE HAAN) crabs reared throughout the year in the laboratory. Oviposition and larvae release occurred from April to October or November. Molting occurred throughout nearly the entire year, although few crabs molted in winter. Most of the crabs molted shortly after the breeding season. The length of oviposition season and the number of ovipositions varied among individual females, and were not correlated with body size but affected by molting. The period between larvae release and the next oviposition was longer when molting occurred within that interval. The start of oviposition at the beginning of the breeding season tended to be affected by the preceding molting. Rearing of females isolated from males showed that females of this species can store sperm and then fertilize 3 broods of eggs. Stored sperm is considered to be retained through molting.