Study of the Reproduction of Cambarellus montezumae (Saussure, 1857) Under Different Sex Relations

Abstract

The crayfish Cambarellus montezumae (Saussure, 1857), is one of the endemic freshwater decapod crustacean species with the largest area of distribution in Mexico (Villalobos, 1955). This species is registered in the closed basins of the Neovolcanic Axis from Puebla to Jalisco, that is, along the Lerma-Santiago-Chapala system. For the present study, crayfishes of the species Cambarellus montezumae were collected in the Xochimilco Canals. We distributed 120 mature females and 48 F1 males (reproductive form) in 9 plastic tubs of 0.54 × 0.34 × 0.14 m with individualized PVC shelters, constant aeration and a temperature of 18°C. Three handling densities were tested: D1 ( 8 org/m2), D3 (16 org/m2), D6 (28 org/m2), which will represent 4, 12, 24, females/m2, and a sex ratio (Male : Female) of 1: 1, 1: 3 and 1: 6. It was appreciated that there was no fluctuation of temperature throughout the experiment. The statistical analysis in females did not indicate significant differences in the parameters of initial weight, final weight, final length. The differences were found in the parameters of weight gained in percentage, Specific Growth Rate, Food Conversion Rate, initial length, percentage of spawning and the number of eggs per female.