Fecundity of the Indian Horse-shoe crab, Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda (Latreille)

Abstract

Fecundity in the horse-shoe crab Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda ranges from 4217 to 10,982 with an average of 7438. The ova diameter varies between 1.5-2.3 mm with a model value of 1.7 mm. Number of ova per mm carapace length, per g body weight and per g ovary weight were 48, 18 and 164 respectively. Maximum fecundity was observed in crabs ranging in size from 174-179 mm. Relationships between fecundity, carapace length, body weight and ovary weight were linear