A Method of Tagging 'Aratus pisonii' (H. Milne Edwards, 1837) (Decapoda, Brachyura, Grapsidae) Crabs for Population and Behavioural Studies

Abstract

Many studies have reported success with respect to tagging crabs purpose of population and home range studies (McConaugha, 1995; et al., 1998; Chen & Kennelly, 1999; Diaz & Conde, 1999; Brousseau Gonzalez-Gurriarán et al., 2002; McGarvey et al., 2002; Maitland et Few studies, however, clearly outline exact methods and materials used other researchers can replicate the tagging technique. The purpose of to describe a technique for tagging small crabs individually, so that followed for field studies. 'Aratus pisonii' (H. Milne Edwards, 1837) is a small, scansorial grapsid inhabiting Atlantic and Pacific shores from Florida to Brazil and Mexico respectively. Males and females attain a maximum size of 26 mm carapace and breed throughout the year (Warner, 1967). Being a small, agile tree-crab, 'A. pisonii' do not make easy subjects for marking or observing for studies.