Population dynamics and secondary production of the ghost shrimp Callichirus major (Thalassinidea): A keystone species of Western Atlantic dissipative beaches

Spatial distribution and population dynamics of Callichirus major (Crustacea, Callianassidae) in a tropical sandy beach, northeastern Brazil

“…With regard to the zonation pattern, both the observed upper limit of the distribution of C. major (i.e., middle intertidal) and the increasing density toward the infralittoral zone are similar to results obtained in most studies (Simão & Soares‐Gomes, ; Simão et al., ; Souza & Borzone, ). The only exception was recorded at Piedade Beach, where decreasing densities of C. major toward the infralittoral zone were due to interspecific competition with N. guassutinga (Botter‐Carvalho et al., ).…”

“…The recruitment period in Sergipe was also well defined, with high abundance of juveniles occurring from July 2012 to September 2012, which corresponded to the period of highest burrow abundance. Similar results were observed in southeastern Brazil (Rodrigues & Shimizu, ; Simão & Soares‐Gomes, ).…”

“…() in Pernambuco and females by Souza et al. () in Paraná and by Simão and Soares‐Gomes () in Rio de Janeiro. The amplitude of seasonal oscillation in growth ( C ) at Aruanda Beach was low for both males and females, compared to those observed in the states of Paraná and Pernambuco.…”

“…For females, the observed increase in length is presumably an adaptation connected with ovary accommodation and egg carrying (Pinn et al., ), while males invest in the development of chelipeds (Shimoda et al., ; Souza et al., ). The major cheliped is a secondary sexual character in adult males, and they use their large chelipeds either for fighting between males or for attracting females (Shimoda et al., ; Simão & Soares‐Gomes, ; Souza et al., ). Indeed, the weight of the major cheliped in a male of C. major corresponds to 33.2% of its total weight (Souza et al., ).…”

“…Along the Brazilian coast, this species is best known in the southern and southeastern regions (Rodrigues & Shimizu, ), where studies have focused on distribution patterns and densities (Pedrucci & Borges, ; Shimizu & Rosso, ), population structure (Simão, Ramos, & Soares‐Gomes, ; Souza & Borzone, ), population dynamics (Petracco, ; Shimizu, ; Simão & Soares‐Gomes, ; Souza et al., ), reproductive strategy (Peiró, Wehrtmann, & Mantelatto, ), and use as live bait (Borzone & Souza, ). However, studies of populations inhabiting the northeastern region are scarce, and reports of population dynamics, biology, and relative growth in C. major have been restricted to a single beach in the state of Pernambuco (Alves‐Júnior, Araújo, & Coelho, , ; Botter‐Carvalho, Santos, & Carvalho, , ), where the urbanization level is high and individuals of C. major are used as live bait.…”