Relationship of molting, gonadosomatic index, and methyl farnesoate in male snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio) from the eastern Bering Sea

摘要: Snow crabs, Chionoecetes opilio (Fabricius, 1788), have a complex mating system, and understanding their reproductive physiology is paramount to crab fishery management. Mating molting are inextricably linked, so the energetically demanding process may compromise male potential for some period prior after molt. Recently molted, new-shell males targeted preferentially during commercially valuable eastern Bering Sea (EBS) fishery. Old-shell males, or that not molted within last year, as visually appealing, but greater capacity can contribute disproportionately genetic stock. We measured crustacean hormone, methyl farnesoate (MF), fitness, using gonadosomatic index (GSI) proxy, in EBS snow determine differences between adolescents adults. compared these indices new- old-shell broad estimate of effect biology on reproduction. Circulating MF was significantly higher adolescent adult suggesting juvenilizing rather than gonadotropic role C. opilio. New-shell had lower GSI both males. The adults levels suggests harvested commercial lack old-shelled therefore be contributing equally population.