Population aspects of Xiphopenaeus kroyeri (Heller, 1862) (Crustacea, Decapoda, Penaeidae) on the eastern coast of northeastern Brazil
Seabob shrimp, growth, Dendrobranchiata, environmental factors, sexual maturity, reproductive patterns.
Seabob shrimp Xiphopenaeus kroyeri has great economic interest in several regions of the Brazilian coast. Despite its importance, its life history is still poorly understood, making it difficult to assess the impact of fishing and climate change on the natural stocks of this species. In this way, the biology and the population growth and the reproductive biology of the species in Baía Formosa, RN were investigated. Besides the relation of its abundance with environmental factors. The shrimp were captured monthly from March / 2013 to February / 2015, in 6 sampling points. The individuals were measured, evaluated for sex and the stage of gonadal development. The environmental factors were obtained using a multiparameter probe, in addition to collecting pluviometric data and sedimentological material. The intra-population groups presented negative correlation with the hydrological variables of temperature and background salinity, water transparency and depth, while the young ones presented a lower degree of relation with the environmental factors. There was significant influence of background temperature, presence of algae and water transparency, with the total abundance of shrimp. Females presented larger sizes than males. Reproduction of the continuous type was observed, with higher reproductive peaks at the beginning of each year. The average length of the first gonadal maturation was 13.6 mm and 14.2 mm for males and females, respectively. There was an inversely proportional relation between the total rainfall and the percentage of reproductive females. Growth parameters showed larger females and showed lower growth coefficient (k), resulting in a longer longevity than males.