Aspects of the population ecology and life history of the co-occurring crabs Eurypanopeus depressus (Smith) and Eurypanopeus dissimilis (Benedict and Rathbun) (Crustacea:Decapoda:Xanthidae)

The xanthid crabs Eurypanopeus depressus and E. dissimilis co-occur among oysters on seawalls in southeastern Florida. Population dynamics and aspects of the life history of these two species were compared during a 1-year period, at two study sites. There were no interspecific differences in adult size for either sex. For both species, females were significantly more abundant than males. E. depressus was more abundant at one study site, E. dissimilis at the other. Ovigerous females were found year-round. Number of eggs per female of both species increased with increasing carapace width. Recruitment of young into the population occurred year-round.