Size and Growth of Cardiosoma armatum and Cardiosoma guanhumi as Ecological Parameters for Mangrove Ecosystem

The Samples of Cardiosoma armatum and Cardiosoma guanhumi were collected from the Lagos Lagoon mangrove area of the University of Lagos. They were studied for their size composition and influence on growth pattern. A comparative analysis was done on both crabs. The carapace length of Cardiosoma armatum and Cardiosoma guanhumi examined ranges from 2.50 cm to 9.30 cm and 2.50 cm to 9.20 cm respectively. The carapace-width examined ranges from 2.70 cm to 9.40 cm and 2.80 cm to 9.40 cm respectively. The total weight of the Cardiosoma armatum ranges between 96.00 g and 290.00 g while Cardiosoma guanhumi ranges between 4.70 g and 295.00 g. The length- weight relationship of the two crabs showed low correlation value of 0.3378 and 0.2113 respectively. The Statistical T-test of the right and left chelipeds, the carapace length and carapace width of Cardiosoma armatum and Cardiosoma guanhumi showed that there were no statistical significances (p>0.05) between carapace length of both crabs. There are statistical significance (p<0.05) between carapace weight of both crabs collected in February, March, June and July. The statistical significance (p<0.05) between the right and left chelipeds of both crabs are highly recognized. This research study indicates almost similar biological features for both species and evidently shows that both crabs are important spotlight for mangrove habitat.