Biomass and density of the crab Bottiella niceforei (Schmitt & Pretzmann, 1968) (Crustacea, Decapoda, Trichodactilydae) from three pools of Carichuano Creek (Guasare, Venezuela)

• Main Authors: Raúl Enrique Pirela, José Elí Rincón
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina 2012-06-01
• Series: Biotemas
• Subjects: Bottiella niceforei; Carichuano creek; Organic matter; Pools; Trichodactylidae
• Online Access: http://www.biotemas.ufsc.br/volumes/pdf/volume252/45a52.pdf
• ISSN: 0103-1643

Studies about the river crab from Latin America are limited to a few taxonomic works. In order to learn more about the ecology of this crab, this study determined the biomass and density of Bottiella niceforei from three pools in Carichuano Creek, Venezuela. Individuals were trapped between June 2009 and February 2010. The highest densities were collected in September (2.70 ind/trap), followed by June (2.33 ind/trap) and July (2.1 ind/trap). Lower densities were obtained from November to February, which were possibly due to the current during the rainy season. Similar results were obtained for the biomass of the crabs. Throughout the sample taken, there was a higher proportion of females within each pool. The majority of individuals captured had a carapace length over 30mm, which was probably because of the type of trap used.