Population structure and reproductive biology of Mesopodopsis orientalis (Crustacea: Mysida) in a tropical mangrove ecosystem in India
Abstract
The population structure and biological aspects of the shallow water mysid Mesopodopsis orientalis were studied in the Versova mangrove, Mumbai, India. The monthly collections ranged from 0-2104 ind.m sup (-3)with an average of 78.6 ind.m sup (-3). The sampled population was found in a wide range of temperature (25.5 degree celsius to 34 degree celsius) and salinities (20.3 to 37.1). Carapace length significantly correlated with total body length (P < 0.01). Mesopodopsis orientalis breed throughout the year but there is a seasonal variation in the intensity of breeding. The size of mature males and females was at maximum during the post-monsoon period. The species produced more than one generation per year and the number of embryos carried by a single female ranged from 6-18, and was correlated with female body length (R sup (2) = 0.69). Egg size varied between 0.32 and 0.45 mm, with no correlation with length of females.
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