Comparative analysis of populational structure of the Hermit Crab Dardanus insignis BJAST

The goal of this paper was the comparison of the population structure and the reproductive period of Dardanus insignis from two sites in a subtropical area of the Brazilian coast. A total of 795 hermit crabs were obtained at Couves Island, being 56.4% males, 27.3% non-ovigerous females, 3.8% ovigerous females, and 12.5% juveniles; at Mar Virado Island a total of 336 specimens were captured, being 59.5% males, 31.8% non-ovigerous females, 4.7% ovigerous females, and 4.5% juveniles. The sex-ratio was statistically different from 1:1 in favor of males all study period in both sites. The reproductive period is seasonal in both sites and the juveniles’ recruitment occurred at first two winter months. Only males were found in the largest size classes. Despite of the distance and environmental and biological features of each site, both populations of D. insignis showed similar characteristics.