Contribution to the biology and fishery of the deep-water red crab, Chaceon Affinis (A. Milne-Edwards & Bouvier, 1894) (Decapoda, Brachyura, Geryonidae) in deep waters of the Canary Islands (Central-East Atlantic)

Abstract

This crab was captured in the whole range of depths sampled, although its highest abundance was\nfound between 600 and 800 m, on muddy-rocky bottoms. Moreover, significant differences were\nobserved in the average weight and length, according to depth of capture, island of origin, and date\nof survey. In general, the b parameter of length-weight relationship indicates a negative allometric\ngrowth pattern, although in some cases it was not statistically different from isometry, particularly in\nmales. Males were heavier, larger, and more abundant in catches than females.

Se realizaron dos campañas de pesca exploratoria de febrero a abril y de junio a julio de 2003,\nrespectivamente, entre los 300 y 1200 m de profundidad con el objeto de evaluar los recursos\npesqueros profundos del Archipiélago Canario. A pesar de que el cangrejo rey (Chaceon affinis) es\nuna especie prácticamente desconocida para los pescadores artesanales de las Islas, fue relativamente\nfrecuente en las capturas, prueba de su abundancia en las aguas profundas del Archipiélago.