The present study focused on investigating the population structure and breeding biology of a species of Porcellanid crab, Petrolisthes boscii (Audouin, 1826). Evaluating the population ecology of the species is essential considering its crucial role in ecological functions including the nutrition cycle and its potential vulnerability to environmental stressors. The samples were collected over a period of 12 consecutive months (from March 2019 to February 2020) in an area of 500 m2 during low tide, utilizing the catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) method when the water receded. The collected specimens (859 individuals) were categorized into males (407 individuals), non-ovigerous females (452 individuals), and ovigerous females (303 individuals). The assessment of fecundity was conducted by measuring the egg characteristics, including the total number, size, and weight of the eggs, as well as the carapace width of the ovigerous females. There was an evident difference in size, with males (8.60 ± 2.76) being significantly larger compared to females (8.39 ± 2.46) (p < 0.001). The overall and monthly sex ratios were female-biased (1:1.17). Moreover, the size frequency distribution revealed a bimodal distribution in male as well as female individuals. Ovigerous females occurred in all the months, which shows that the species breeds continuously throughout the year, with peaks in the months of March to May and August to October. There was a significant positive relationship observed among the size of ovigerous females and their total number of eggs (130.39 ± 83.31), egg mass weight (150 ± 110 mg). The study may provide baseline information for future studies on the impacts of a continuously altering environment and the consequences of increasing anthropogenic pressure on coastal areas.

中文翻译：

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揭示 Petrolisthes boscii （Audouin， 1826） 的种群结构和繁殖模式，这是一种常见的潮间带居民，位于古吉拉特邦索拉什特拉海岸的 Shivrajpur


本研究的重点是调查一种 Porcellanid 蟹 Petrolisthes boscii （Audouin， 1826） 的种群结构和繁殖生物学。考虑到该物种在生态功能（包括营养循环）中的关键作用以及它对环境压力源的潜在脆弱性，评估该物种的种群生态学至关重要。样品是在退潮时连续 12 个月（从 2019 年 3 月到 2020 年 2 月）在 500 m2 的区域内收集的，在水退时采用每单位努力捕获 （CPUE） 方法。收集的标本 （859 只） 分为雄性 （407 只）、无产卵雌性 （452 只） 和产卵雌性 （303 只）。通过测量卵的特性来评估繁殖力，包括卵的总数、大小和重量，以及产卵雌性的甲壳宽度。大小存在明显差异，雄性 （8.60 ± 2.76） 明显大于雌性 （8.39 ± 2.46） （p < 0.001）。总体性别比和月度性别比偏向女性 （1：1.17）。此外，大小频率分布揭示了雄性和雌性个体的双峰分布。产卵雌性出现在所有月份，这表明该物种全年连续繁殖，在 3 月至 5 月和 8 月至 10 月达到高峰。在产卵雌性的大小与其卵总数 （130.39 ± 83.31）、卵质量 （150 ± 110 mg） 之间存在显著的正相关关系。 该研究可能为未来研究不断变化的环境的影响以及日益增加的人为压力对沿海地区的后果提供基线信息。