Size at sexual maturity, breeding season, and fecundity of the intertidal xanthid crab Leptodius exaratus (H. Milne Edwards, 1834) (Decapoda: Brachyura) in the Persian Gulf, Iran

Size at reproductive maturity of the xanthid crab Leptodius exaratus (H. Milne Edwards, 1834) was determined by comparing gonadal development and the relative growth of gonopods and chelae in males and abdomens and chelae in females from August 2012 to August 2013. The size at which 50% of the of males and females were found to be mature was at carapace lengths (CL) of 16mm and 13mm, respectively. The smallest ovigerous female was 9.6mm CL. The ovigerous females were found throughout the year with a peak in August2013.The numbers of eggs varied between 600 and 9,000 in individuals 9.6 mm and 20 mm CL, respectively. The monthly changes of gonadal indices in males and females indicated that mating was at its peak in spring and summer. The ovaries began to develop in March 2013. The results suggest that some females may spawn more than one batch of eggs per year. Fecundity as measured by the number of eggs was lower than in other xanthid crabs, perhaps as a result of the high temperatures in the Persian Gulf.