Ovary development in deep-sea red crab Chaceon affinis (A. Milne-Edwards & Bouvier, 1894) (Brachyura, Geryonidae)

Abstract

Several studies on ecology of deep-sea red crab, Chaceon affinis (A. Milne-Edwards & Bouvier, 1894), from the Eastern Atlantic have been conducted. The commercial potential of this Geryonidae has been resulted in an increase of catches and the emergence of new fishing areas where this resource begins to be exploited. This has spurred the interest in obtaining a good knowledge on its ecology to provide useful information to support management tools. At the present numerous studies referred to reproductive biology of Chaceon affinis have been conducted. In these studies the asignement of gonad maturity were based on macroscopic characters and gonad colour scales adapted from other congeneric species. The present work aims to describe the histological ovarian development and gross morphology of gonads. Aiming to provide a macroscopic maturity stage scale based on histological criteria useful as a tool for future studies on reproductive biology of Chaceon affinis.