Size, sex ratio, and morphological features of Harris crab, Rhithropanopeus harrisii (Gould, 1841) (Brachyura: Panopeidae), Taman Bay, 2021
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The article presents the features of sex and size composition, morphology of the crabs Rhithropanopeus harrisii from Taman Bay collected in July 2021. In the sample, males outnumbered females fourfold; juveniles were not encountered. Sizes: the carapace width of males was 7.3–21.4 mm (on average 14.4±2.5 mm), the carapace length was 5.5–15.9 mm (on average 11.0±1.8 mm); the carapace width of females was 8.6– 15.9 mm (on average 10.8±1.7 mm), the carapace length was 6.7–12.1 mm (on average 8.3±1.3 mm). Among males, individuals with a carapace width of 13–15 mm (46 % share) and a carapace length of 10–11 mm (48 %) were dominant, while among females, those with a carapace width of 10–11 mm (45 % share) and a carapace length of 7–9 mm (77 % share) were dominant. A morphometric analysis of 18 plastic characters of six elements of the crab's exoskeleton revealed a number of features of sexual dimorphism in the species of the Gulf: the sizes of most plastic characters of carapace, abdomen, merus of pereiopods 2 and 3 and of the right and left claws were 12–49 % smaller in females than in males (the exception was the fourth abdominal segment, which was 45 % wider in females). Similarities for crabs of both sexes were also noted: their right claw was significantly larger than the left claw, reflecting the functional specialization of the claws. A comparative analysis with morphometric data for R. harrisii of that Bay from a decade ago suggested a relatively stable dimensional structure and exoskeleton morphology in Harris crab specimens from Taman Bay settlements.
Source: KSTU News
Authors: A. S. Ovcharuk, C. A. Sudnik
Institution: Kaliningrad State Technical University
Language: English
Subfield: Ecology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Life below water
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7127046752