Investigation of some biological parameters of warty crab (Eriphia verrucosa Forskal, 1775) in the Sinop region

This study was carried out to determine some biological characteristic of warty crab (Eriphia verrucosa), is a crab which appeared Sinop coastal between July 2013 and June 2014 in Bay and Akliman region in Sinop. In this study was carried out as to represent the population of 4 different mesh size (50-56-60-64 mm) of trammel nets. In total 1338 individuals of 459 female (34.3%) and 879 male (65.7%) crabs. They were obtained giving a sex ratio of 1:0.52 (M:F). The mean carapace width (CW) and carapace length (CL) were 61.05±1.07 mm and 44.35±0.78 mm for females, 69.80±0.32 mm and 51.29±0.23 mm for males and mean weight (W) were 87.42±4.35 g for females and 131.40±1.69 g and for males respectively. Relationship between CW and W were expressed W = 0.0012 CW 2.6946 (r² = 0.90) for females, W = 0.0005 CW 2.9258 (r² = 0.91) for males and W = 0.0003 CW 3.0068 (r² = 0.92) for all individuals. Relationship between CL and W were expressed W = 0.0027 CL 2.7015 (r² = 0.91) for females, W = 0.0013 CL 2.9165 (r² = 0.91) for males and W = 0.001CL 2.9674 (r² = 0.92) for all individuals. Ovigerous females were observed in June, July and August. The fecundity estimates ranged from 3574 to 154319 and the mean fecundity was 70893±7791. The mean egg diameter was 565.29±8.26 µm. The highest mean condition factor value was observed in January (38.21±0.90) and the lowest value in August 13 (34.24±0.25). Key words: Black Sea, Sinop, Crab, Warty crab, Eriphia verrucosa