First record and preliminary information on the biology of the deep sea African crab, Chaceon gordonae (Ingle, 1985) (Brachyura: Geryonidae) in Saint Peter and Saint Paul Archipelago, Brazil

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Several studies conducted in Brazilian oceanic islands have generated many results of great significance for the understanding of these ecosystems. However, most of these studies have been restricted to shallow waters, not going beyond 200 m depth. In this work, seven exploratory deep-water fishing surveys were carried out with bottom traps at Saint Peter and Saint Paul Archipelago, between 2012 and 2014, at depths ranging from 300 to 700 m. During these surveys the presence of a deep-sea crab, identified as Chaceon gordonae was recorded, with 458 specimens being caught. Of the sampled specimens, 252 were males and 206 were females. The carapace length (CL) of sampled crabs measured, on the average, 110.81 ± 14.52 mm for males and 102.00 ± 16.55 mm for females. In general, the β1 parameter of the length-weight relationship indicates a positive allometric growth. A comparison of linear regression between the carapace length and right chela length and width for males suggested a morphological maturity of 108.90 and 110.10 mm CL, respectively, whereas the regression between carapace length and abdomen width in females indicated a size at morphological maturity of 84.00 mm CL.

An equatorial mid‐Atlantic Ocean archipelago as nursery area for the cookiecutter shark: Investigating foraging strategies of neonates through bite mark inferences

“…The SPSPA has a strategic position, where the ecological and oceanographic conditions are unique due to extreme isolation, presenting the second highest rate of endemism among Brazilian oceanic islands (Serafini et al, 2010). This oceanic archipelago plays an important role such as a feeding, breeding, nursery, and growth area for numerous pelagic and demersal species (Vaske Jr. et al, 2005; Hazin & Macena, 2008; Leite et al, 2009; Tiburcio et al, 2011; Viana et al, 2013; Viana et al, 2015; Ferreira et al, 2016). Therefore, the recent recording of the cookiecutter shark in SPSPA offers an opportunity to investigate the foraging ecology of the species in this region.…”

Population, Distribution Structure, and Fishery Potential of the Golden Deep-Sea Crab, Chaceon somaliensis in the Kenyan Coast in East Africa

“…The brachyuran family Geryonidae, characterized by its five anterolateral carapace teeth [1,2], is globally distributed in the continental slopes of the world's oceans [3] at depths 200-1500 m. Geryonidae are a source of food and supports numerous world commercial fisheries [4][5][6][7][8][9]. The family comprises of four genera and twenty-four species [5].…”

“…The family comprises of four genera and twenty-four species [5]. Those which have attracted scientific research include Chaceon fenneri, Chaceon affinis, Chaceon macphersoni, Chaceon maritae, Chaceon quinquedens, Chaceon chilensis, Chaceon gordonae, Chaceon albus and Chaceon notialis of the South West Atlantic Ocean [2,[10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. The Chaceon genus attains medium to large size, from 118 mm to 170 mm carapace width, and is a source of food, livelihood, and revenue, supports industrial fisheries and has ecological value.…”

“…The name C. somaliensis was derived from the locality as it was originally discovered, off-Somalia Coast, in the Horn of Africa [17]. The crabs are large in size, with males generally being larger than the females [2,10]. C. somaliensis crabs in Kenya are commercially harvested yet, little is known about it.…”

“…Geryonid crabs also exhibited bathymetric migration of the females during the reproduction cycle [5]. Stratification by depth was observed with depths of 400-500 m having higher biomass density, and abundance of the crabs and large-sized than in deeper regions of >600 m [2,19,20]. Depth-sex stratification was also present, with males being larger and heavier than females and found in shallow places (optimum depth of 400-500 m).…”