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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 58(8)

Adaptive traits in ecology, reproduction and early life history of Sesarma meridies, an endemic stream crab from Jamaica

Klaus Anger A C , Gabriela Torres A B and Uwe Nettelmann A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Biologische Anstalt Helgoland, Stiftung Alfred-Wegener-Institut für Polar- und Meeresforschung, 27498 Helgoland, Germany.

B Carl-von-Ossietzky-Universität, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany.

C Corresponding author. Email: Klaus.Anger@AWI.de

Marine and Freshwater Research 58(8) 743-755 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF06176
Submitted: 25 September 2006  Accepted: 4 July 2007   Published: 20 August 2007

Abstract

The endemic Jamaican freshwater crab Sesarma meridies lives in shady microhabitats on river banks, where temperature and pH are lower and ion concentrations higher than in mid-stream water. Ovigerous females were found to release up to 140 yolk-rich larvae (hatching period: 1 week; >90% at night). Larval development comprised two fully lecithotrophic zoeal stages and a feeding megalopa, which was also able to develop without food (facultative lecithotrophy). After metamorphosis in complete absence of food, juvenile crabs showed reduced body size, delayed moulting, and enhanced mortality. Endotrophic development was fuelled by internal lipid reserves; proteins were conserved as structural components of tissues and organs. Fed megalopae enhanced their protein content rather than re-stocking previously lost lipid reserves. Ecdysial biomass (CHN) losses were very low (zoeal stages: 1–2%; megalopa: 3–7%), showing an energy-saving production of thin exuviae. An extended hatching period may reduce intraspecific competition or cannibalism among juveniles; nocturnal hatching should reduce the predation on larvae. Large egg size, enhanced yolk reserves, an extended embryonic development (7 weeks at 24°C; implying a prolonged period of brood care), abbreviated and partially food-independent larval development, and reduced exuvial losses are considered as life-history adaptations to unpredictable planktonic food availability in the breeding habitat.

Additional keywords: decapod crustaceans, larval development, lecithotrophy, limnic, radiation.


Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Michelina, Tanja, and three Jamaicans for help in the collection of crabs, to Karin Bickmeyer for CHN analyses, the AWI for travelling funds, and the Director and staff of the DBML for hospitality during visits to Jamaica. GT acknowledges a PhD grant from Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD, Bonn, Germany).


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