A study on the temporal fluctuation of the population structure of the hermit crab Clibanarius vittatus (Bosc, 1802) was carried out at Baixio Mirim tideflat, Guaratuba Bay, Paraná State, southern Brazil (25°52'S, 48°36'W). Clibanarius vittatus is a species widely studied, but studies of population biology of these hermit crabs in different regions are scarce. Samplings were done in the intertidal zone, monthly, from April/2005 to March/2006. A total of 1187 hermit crabs were obtained, among which, 949 males, 22 intersexes, 204 non-ovigerous females and 12 ovigerous females. The cephalothoracic shield length (CSL) was measured and grouped in 10 size classes. Males were distributed in 10 CSL classes while intersexes and females occurred only in six size classes. Males predominated in every month and in the whole population. All demographic categories were present all year round, except intersexes and ovigerous females. These were uncommon and occurred from late spring until autumn and in august/2005. The reproduction was considered seasonal-continuous, with higher intensity in the warmer months. The observed sex ratio in this population, that was different from other ones, corroborates the theory of migration for this species. The present research constitutes the first record of reproductive period of C. vittatus population occurring in warm subtropical shallow waters.
Intertidal hermit crabs; reproductive period; intersexes; sex ratio; size classes
