Features of the life cycle and estimates of the growth parameters for Chionoecetes angulatus (Decapoda: Oregoniidae) in the TINRO Basin of Okhotsk Sea

Biology of triangle tanner crab Chionoecetes angulatus in the deep-water TINRO Basin (Okhotsk Sea) is studied in details on the data collected in comprehensive bottom trawl surveys in summer-autumn (2010, 2012) and spring (2018) seasons. Aggregations of the species were found at the depths of 540–980 m, under temperature 0–2 ^оC. Males dominated over females in catches (sex ratio ranged from 1.00 : 0.16 to 1.00 : 0.69, the ranges of biomass were 596–1002 kg/km² for males versus 55–189 kg/km² for females), possibly because of specific catchability of the trawl gear. The carapace width (CW) was 12–171 mm for males and 17–99 mm for females. The size levels of functional maturity were determined for males with the method of claw allometry as: CW_{50% maturity} 100.8 mm, CW_{75% maturity} 112.9 mm, and CW_{100% maturity} 151.7 mm. The CW₅₀ value in TINRO Basin exceeds this level for the population in eastern Bering Sea (91.4 mm) that indicates later maturation of the crabs in Okhotsk Sea. Growth parameters were estimated for first time: the maximum carapace width of 147.2 mm for males and 81.6 mm for females and the size of physiological sexual maturity of 67.5 mm and 49.4 mm, respectively. Clear seasonal patterns were identified, namely moulting of males with the peak in late spring or early summer and synchronous reproductive cycle in females with external eggs laid on pleopods in summer-autumn.

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