BIBLIOS

Document type
Journal articles

Document subtype
Full paper

Title
Unknown facts of the biology of Polybius henslowii – Effect of gender on claw morphology and diet

Participants in the publication
Rui Cereja (Author)
MARE
IDL
Catarina Vinagre (Author)
Ana Silva (Author)

Summary
Polybius henslowii is known for both its unusual swimming behaviour and for forming large shoals during its pelagic phase. Although being a common species, many aspects of its biology remain unknown. In this work, P. henslowii's sexual dimorphism was examined in both dietary composition and morphologies of carapace and claw. Males were generally larger than females both on carapace and claw sizes. Claw morphology differed between males and females. Diet was similar between genders. Hence, we suggest that the sexual dimorphism in claw morphology results from gender-specific behaviours instead of diet. The most common dietary items were sand (51.2%), squid (34.1%) and crustaceans (26.8%). The same items were also the most important in volume, but with squids being more important than sand. The diet composition of P. henslowii was consistent with previous studies but also presenting sediment as an important item.


Institution
FACULDADE DE CIÊNCIAS DA UNIVERSIDADE DE LISBOA

Where published
Journal of Sea Research

Publication Identifiers
ISSN - 1385-1101

Publisher
Elsevier BV



Document Identifiers
DOI - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seares.2020.101953
URL - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.seares.2020.101953