Abstract:
Ecology and fishery biology of grapsic crabs Genus Neoepisesarma in four mangrove plantations of different ages in Pak Phanang Estuary, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province was conducted from October 2004 to December 2005. Of the three species of grapsid crabs in the genus Neoepisesarma found in the area, Neoepisesarma mederi was dominant with N. singaporensis and N. chengtongense in respectively order. Highest density of grapsid crabs were observed in the mangrove plantation of 13 years old at Ai-hall area which was the most important fishing ground for grapsid crabs. Sediment composition in particular the clay fractions, degree of tidal exposure, salinity and organic contents were the major environmental factors determining the grapsid crab abundances. High density was recorded during the wet season from October to November. Grapsid crabs were primary comnivore with litter falls as dominant prey items as revealed from the stomach contents. Thus the mangrove plantations played the roles in supporting grapsid crab population in terms of habitat and food sources. Reproductive biology of grapsid crab N. mederi revealed that ovarian development can be classified into five stages based on colour, external morphology and histological features. Testis development did not exhibity any conspicous different in colour and size. The testis always contained all developmental stages of germ line cells. Sex ratio of male to female was 1:1.5. Spawning period in N. mederi occurred throughout the year with the peaks in October-November and March-May. The spawning period in N. singaporensis also occurred throughout the year with the peaks in August-November and February-May. It was concluded that the first sexual maturity size for the two species were carapace width of 26.00-28.00 mm. in N. mederi and less than 22.00 mm. in N. singaporensis. Fecundity of N. mderi of carapace with 26.09-33.24 mm. was high in the range of 9,428-91,568 eggs. Fecundity positively correlated with carapace width in grapsid crabs. Assessment on the status of grapsid crab N. mederi resources in the Pak Phanang mangrove forests reveal that the grapsid crab fishery was carried out throughout the year. Maximum total catch was during October to November. Maximum relative yield per recruit was estimated when the exploitation rate (E) was 0.917. The present exploitation rate estimated at 0.682. Thus the fishing pressure in the area was near to the maximum relative yield per recruit. The growth of grabsid crab N.mederi was allometric based on the relationship of carapace width and weight. the data on population structure and dynamics of grapsid crabs have been calculated using the FiSAT program based on the carapace width frequency distribution. The growth parameters of the grapsid crabs were : L[infinity] = 42.56 mm.; K = 2.49 per year and t[subscript 0] = -0.00218 year. Total mortality (Z) in this crab population were 7.84 per year, while the instantaneous natural mortality coefficient and the instantaneous fishing mortality coefficient were 2.49 and 5.35 per year, respectively. The recruitment occurred all year round. The data from this study can be applied as the basis for the grapsid crab resource management by allocated no fishing ground zone in particular the grapsid crab breeding ground, banning on the fishing of grapsid crabs with carapace width less than 28.00 mm. and berried females. The reproductive biology data can be used to promote grapsid crab culture for restocking as the alternative to the management of the grapsid crab resources.