Population structure and reproductive patterns of a southern Florida population of Palaemonetes paludosus (Gibbes) (Crustacea: Decapoda: Palaemonidae)

The grass shrimp, Palaemonetes paludosus, was studied during a two year period from a population in southern Florida. The shrimp exhibited significant deviations from an expected sex ratio of 1:1 in certain size classes. Males were found more frequently in small to intermediate size classes while females dominated the largest size classes. Recruitment was continuous and ovigerous females were found year-round. Clutch size increased with increasing carapace length of the shrimp. A differential growth rate may account for the variations in sex ratio among different size classes found in this shrimp.