Epibiosis and molting in two species of <i>Callinectes</i> (Decapoda: Portunidae) from Brazil

Abstract

The external infestatíon of Callinectes omatus Ordway, 1863 and Callinectes danae Smith, 1869, in particular cirrípeds, was studied for two consecutive years in the Ubatuba Bay (SP) (230 26' S and 45° 02' W). Bryozoans, polychaetes and cirripeds were found on both swimming crab species, but cirrípeds were the most abundant and frequent. The number of infested swimming crabs increased proportionally to carapace size, but not surpassing 30 %, suggesting an absence of terminal anecdysis in both species. The establishment of the pernicious organisrns on their hosts is influenced by other factors, such as their habit of burying thernselves in sediments. The correlation between molting activity in adult specimens of both sexes and the low incidence of epizoonts suggest that C. omatus and C. danae may be molting after maturity.