ABUNDANCE AND MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF WEST AFRICAN FRESHWATER CRAB (SUDANOUNTES AFRICANUS) ALONG LOWER RIVER BENUE, MAKURDI, BENUE STATE NIGERIA

The abundance and morphological characterization of freshwater crab (Sudanountes africanus) were determined in Makurdi along the Lower River Benue. 160 Sudanountes africanus were collected from August-November, 2016. The highest percentage (35.63%) S. africanus was obtained in August while the lowest (12.50%) was obtained November. The mean total length, body weight, carapace width, carapace length, length of the teeth, abdominal length, number of legs and diameter of the eye socket of male S. africanus were 3.38±0.03, 38.52±0.84, 4.67±0.83, 1.44±0.18, 3.51±0.06, 2.91±0.06, 8.00±0.00 and 0.69±0.01, respectively while the female counterpart had 3.40±0.07, 37.63±1.77, 4.71±0.10, 1.43±0.15, 3.26±0.08, 2.72±0.08, 8.00±0.00 and 0.64±0.01, respectively. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) between mean total length, body weight, carapace width, carapace length, abdominal length and the diameter of the eye socket. Female S. africanus had better “b” value (16.56) and mean condition factor (36.18±1.22) than the male with 7.13 “b” value and 7.16±4.77 condition factor. From the width weight relationship, female S. africanus had better “b” value (11.22) and mean condition factor (9.20±2.09) than the male with 2.00 “b” value and 1.07±4.45 condition factor.