Allometric Relationships of Red Ghost Crab Ocypode macrocera (H. Milne-Edwards, 1852) in Sundarbans Mangrove Eco-Region, India

3 Abstract: The relationship between carapace length/width-body weight of the red ghost crab Ocypode macrocera was studied at the southern proximity of the Sagar island, western sector of Indian Sundarbans (World's largest mangrove biome) that faces the regular tidal influences of Bay of Bengal. The females were more abundant (54%) than males (46%) considering the overall sample and the length/width-weight distribution pattern did not show remarkable differences between sexes. The carapace length and width are linearly related to body weight and appeared to be highly significant (P<0.001) in each case. The regression coefficient (b) of length-weight and width-weight relationship found to be in positive allometry. Moreover, the correlation between weight with length and width is strongly positive in male, female and irrespective of sex. The condition factor (K) value of carapace length between two sexes varies significantly and higher in females. Despite of small sample size, the present study is able to predict the morphometric relationship is useful in stock assessment of the Ocypode macrocera and comparing the different stocks of the same species at different geographical locations.