SEASONAL CHANGES IN BIOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF THE SAND CRAB EMERITA HOLTHUISI SANKOLLI (DECAPODA ANOMURA)

SUMMARY 1. The changes in the biochemical constituents of the soft body tissues and hepatopancreas of Emerita holthuisi Sankolli (Decapoda Anomura) were studied at monthly intervals for 1 year to determine their variability in the course of the reproductive cycle. 2. The water content remained at a high level during the monsoon season i.e. from July to September. It was at moderate level from October to January followed by a slight decrease during the period from February to June. 3. Protein, glycogen and fat of hepatopancreas were correlated with reproductive activity. During ripening of the gonads protein, glycogen and fat of the soft body parts and the hepatopancreas were increased. During the intensive spawning period all values fell considerably reaching minimum values at the end of the spawning period.