ABUNDANCE AND MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF SUDANONAUTES AFRICANUS IN MAKURDI, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the abundance and some aspects of biology of freshwater crab, Sudanonautes africanus, along Lower River Benue, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria. A total of 160 crabs were collected from August to November 2016, and their morphological characteristics, including mean total length, body weight, carapace width, carapace length, length of the teeth, abdominal length, number of legs, and diameter of the eye socket, were measured. The highest percentage of S. africanus (35.63%) was obtained in August, while the lowest (12.50%) was obtained in November. The length-weight relationship was established for male and female S. africanus, and there was no significant difference between mean total length, body weight, carapace width, carapace length, abdominal length, and the diameter of the eye socket. Female S. africanus had better "b" value and mean condition factor than the male. The findings of this study provide important information for further studies on the life history of S. africanus and in the development of resource management for this valuable crustacean.