Mating and spawning in the mudcrab, Scylla serrata (Forskaål) (Decapoda: Portunidae), in Moreton Bay, Queensland

Abstract

Mating activity in a southern Queensland population of S. serrata was at a maximum level in mid-spring and late summer-early autumn. Spawning activity, as indicated by the incidence of spent females, began early in spring and ended in early autumn while water temperatures exceeded approximately 22ºC. Nevertheless, ovary condition was apparently held constant during the colder non-spawning half of the year. Ovary condition was not correlated with either ovary coloui or crab size.