ASPECTOS POPULACIONAIS DO ARATU Goniopsis cruentata (LATREILLE, 1803) NOS MANGUEZAIS DO RIO REAL, INDIAROBA, ESTADO DE SERGIPE, BRASIL

Mangrove crab Goniopsis cruentata purple mangrove crab Goniopsis cruentata catching is intensive and has a great impact on the population structure. The present study aimed to present information on the population structure of aratu. The catching was carried out by a professional fisherwoman using a fishing rod with a line and bait, capturing specimens of all sizes –not only those that could be sold. The results indicated that males and females showed no difference in carapace width. Comparing average weights, males were heavier than females. Among the 448 captured females, 88% were ovigera females with a tendency to decrease between February and April and then increase. The dimension of males and females regarding carapace width indicated a predominance of females in the range between 3.2 and 4.3 cm and of males in the smallest and largest ranges. The total weight/carapace width ratio for males was PT = 0.2675*LC^3.475, showing positive allometric growth, and for females PT = 0.8863*LC^2.5775, showing negative ALLOMETRIC growth. The condition factor of females was higher (approximately 1.5 times) than that of males. Data collection took place in a short period, further research is therefore required.