Estudo de alguns grupos de caranguejos do género Uca no mangal do Saco da Inhaca, Ilha da Inhaca, Maputo

Abstract

Four species of crabs of the genus Uca were studied in the Saco da Inhaca mangrove, namely Uca lactea, Uca vocans, Uca chlorophtalmus and Uca urvillei.

For each of these species, the distribution throughout the year, the composition of sexes and sizes, the position of the larger chela of the males and the substrate preference in an aquarium were studied. It was found that: Uca lactea is widely distributed in areas with vegetation cover, does not present significant differences in the composition of sexes, presents a predominance of individuals of intermediate size (>5≤10 mm), does not present a predominant position for the chela larger of males and in aquarium prefers sandy substrate.

* Uca vocans is found in areas with vegetation cover of Avicennia marina, it does not present a significant predominance of any of the sexes, sizes or position of the larger chela of the males and in aquariums it prefers a sandy substrate.

* Uca chlorophtalmus shows a wide distribution in areas with vegetation cover, does not present a significant predominance of any sex, size or position of the larger chela of males and prefers sandy substrate when found in an aquarium. * Uca urvillei is found in different areas depending on the season, it does not present a significant predominance of any of the sexes, sizes or position of the larger chela of males and prefers sandy substrate when found in an aquarium. (TRADUÇÃO NOSSA)