Biological characteristics of the reproduction of the land crab Cardisoma armatum (Herklots, 1851) in Ehotile National Park (Cote d’Ivoire)

<p><strong>Aim</strong>: <em>Cardiosoma armatum</em> is a Land crab that is widely exploited and consumed in Côte d’Ivoire. This study aims to highlight some reproductive parameters of this species in the Iles Ehotilé National Park in relation to sex ratio, size at first sexual maturity, spawning season and fecundity. Methods: Sampling was carried out monthly from January to December 2018 using dip nets, trap boxes, hole fishing and collection. Results: Reproductive parameters of <em>C. armatum</em> were examined on 930 specimens ranging in size from 61.35 to 80.86 mm carapace width and eviscerated weights from 96 to 160 g. The overall sex ratio of 1.14:1, favoured males. The size at first sexual maturity was 64.60 mm carapace width in females and 64.27 mm in males. The monthly gonado-somatic index and the macroscopically determined gonad stages indicated that <em>C. armatum</em> has two favourable spawning periods in the PNIE, from June to October, with spawning in August, and from November to April, with spawning in February. The mean monthly variation in condition factor (K) was 42.06 ± 3.98 for females and 42.95 ± 3.66 for males. Absolute fecundity varied between 219958 and 567848 oocytes in females. The results of this study suggest that <em>C. armatum</em> has very good reproductive parameters and can be used as a breeding crab.</p> <p>published by the <strong> <a href="https://innspub.net/international-journal-of-biosciences/">International Journal of Biosciences (IJB)</a></strong></p>