Morphometric relationships, growth dynamics, and condition factors of Thalamita crenata as baselines for SDG-driven fisheries management
Paper Details
Morphometric relationships, growth dynamics, and condition factors of Thalamita crenata as baselines for SDG-driven fisheries management
Abstract
This study examined the morphometric characteristics, length–weight and width–weight relationships, sex ratio, and condition factor of Thalamita crenata inhabiting Philippine mangrove ecosystems. A total of 103 individuals (58 females and 45 males) were analyzed to establish baseline information on their morphology and ecological condition. Female body weight ranged from 12.47–67.74 g, while males ranged from 14.44–86.04 g. Carapace length measured 2.77–4.83 cm in females and 2.86–4.93 cm in males, whereas carapace width ranged from 2.28–6.91 cm in females and 4.08–7.26 cm in males. Growth analysis revealed positive allometric growth in males (b > 3), indicating faster weight gain relative to length, and negative allometric growth in females (b < 3), indicating slower weight gain. Females also exhibited higher condition factor values than males, suggesting better physiological condition and ecological adaptation. The sex ratio (1:0.78) was slightly female-biased. These findings provide important baseline information for the sustainable management and potential aquaculture development of T. crenata. Establishing morphometric references is essential for assessing population health, growth performance, and reproductive potential, particularly for species supporting small-scale fisheries and coastal livelihoods. This study expands the limited knowledge of T. crenata in the Philippines and provides a benchmark for future comparative studies across spatial and temporal scales. Moreover, it contributes to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1 (No Poverty), 2 (Zero Hunger), and 14 (Life Below Water) by generating scientific evidence that supports sustainable fisheries, biodiversity conservation, food security, and resilient coastal resource management.
Afzaal Z, Kalhoro MA, Buzdar MA, Tariq S, Shafi M, Nadeem A, Imran S, Saeed F, Sohail M, Hasan R, Haroon A, Ahmed I. 2018. Carapace length–weight and carapace width–weight relationship of Portunus pelagicus (Linnaeus, 1758) in Pakistani waters, northern Arabian Sea. Indian Journal of Geo-Marine Sciences 47, 890–896.
Arisandi A, Mariana D, Idris M, Muhsoni FF, Cholik N. 2019. Biological parameters of three Thalamita species (T. crenata, T. spinimana, and T. sima) in Lasongko Bay, Central Buton, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. AACL Bioflux 12, 282–295.
Araujo MSLC, Castiglioni DS, Coelho PA. 2012. Width–weight relationship and condition factor of Ucides cordatus (Crustacea, Decapoda, Ucididae) at tropical mangroves of Northeast Brazil. Iheringia, Série Zoologia 102, 277–284.
Astuti O, Alimina N, Safilu S, Emiyarti E, Sara L, Nurgayah W, Rahmadani A, Skel I. 2020. Temporal sex ratio, growth patterns and condition factor of the blue swimming crab (Portunus pelagicus) in Northern of Tiworo Strait waters, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. Aceh Journal of Animal Science 5(2), 104–111. DOI: 10.13170/ajas.5.2.16809
Bellchambers LM, de Lestang S. 2005. Selectivity of different gear types for sampling the blue swimmer crab Portunus pelagicus. Fisheries Research 73, 21–27.
Bian X, Sun H, Yu S, Lin M, Guo S, Wu D. 2023. Carapace width–body weight relationships and condition factors of Thalamita spinosissima (Decapoda: Portunidae) from the northern South China Sea. Regional Studies in Marine Science 69, 103102.
Brunson JF, Sitta KA, Kingsley-Smith PR, Kendrick MR. 2024. Evidence for a male bias in Atlantic blue crab pot-based sampling. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 44, 101–112.
Cannicci S, Dahdouh-Guebas F, Anyona D, Vannini M. 1996. Natural diet and feeding habits of Thalamita crenata (Decapoda: Portunidae). Journal of Crustacean Biology 16, 678–683. DOI: 10.1163/193724096X00766
Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Biodiversity Management Bureau. 2023. State of the Philippine Environment Report 2023. DENR-BMB.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Biodiversity Management Bureau. 2024. Del Carmen Mangrove Reserve Ramsar Designation Report. DENR-BMB.
Ewers-Saucedo C. 2019. Evaluating reasons for biased sex ratios in Crustacea. Invertebrate Reproduction and Development 63, 221–238.
Froese R. 2006. Cube law, condition factor and weight–length relationships: History, meta-analysis and recommendations. Journal of Applied Ichthyology 22, 241–253.
Gnisci V, Mancinelli G, Pastore M, Bartolomeo G, Denitto F, Basile M. 2023. A study of the invasive blue crab Callinectes sapidus (Rathbun, 1896) in two Mediterranean coastal lakes: Population structure, growth and reproduction. PLOS ONE 18, e0289611.
Hajjej G, Sley A, Jarboui O. 2016. Morphometrics and length–weight relationship in the blue swimming crab, Portunus segnis (Decapoda, Brachyura) from the Gulf of Gabes, Tunisia. International Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences 3, 10–16.
Hamid A, Batu I, Wardiatno Y, Irnawati N. 2019. Biological aspects of genus Thalamita Latreille, 1829 (Decapoda: Portunidae) in Lasongko Bay, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. AACL Bioflux 12, 1335–1348.
Ingles JA. 1996. The Crab Fisheries of Bantayan, Philippines. IMFO-CF, University of the Philippines–PCMARD.
Josileen J. 2011. Morphometrics and length–weight relationship in the blue swimmer crab, Portunus pelagicus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Decapoda, Brachyura) from the Mandapam Coast, India. Crustaceana 84, 1665–1681.
Khot M, Jaiswar AK. 2018. Carapace length–weight and carapace width–weight relationship and condition factor of intertidal crabs from Maharashtra, India. International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies 6, 49–51.
Koga T, Kato M, Kubo T, Tsuchida K, Wada S. 2021. Seasonal changes in sexual size dimorphisms of the anomuran crab Petrolisthes japonicus. Zoological Science 38, 522–531.
Kurniawan R, Aji N, Yulianto I. 2024. Biological aspects of spiny rock crab Thalamita crenata in Kolono Bay, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. HabitAqua: Habitus Aquatica Journal 3, 1–12.
Loupidou S, Kitsikoudis V, Michailidis N, Katselis G. 2024. Reproductive biology of the invasive blue crab Callinectes sapidus in the inner Thermaikos Gulf (NW Aegean Sea). Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 12, 1923.
Mascarinas E. 2019, November 5). Siargao town recognized as best mangrove site in the Philippines. Mindanao Gold Star Daily. https://mindanaogoldstardaily.com/siargao-town-recognized-as-best-mangrove-site-in-the-philippines
Mesa SV, Bayate DEE, Guanco MR. 2018. Blue swimming crab stock assessment in the Western Visayan Sea. Philippine Journal of Fisheries 25, 77–94.
Noori A, Moghaddam P, Kamrani E, Akbarzadeh A, Neitali BK, Pinheiro MAA. 2015. Condition factor and carapace width versus wet weight relationship in the blue swimming crab Portunus segnis. Animal Biology 65, 87–99.
Oceana. (n.d.). Protect mangrove forests in the Philippines. Retrieved May 18, 2025, from https://act.oceana.org/page/144318/action
Pinheiro MAA, Fransozo A. 1998. Sexual maturity of the speckled swimming crab Arenaeus cribrarius (Lamarck, 1818) (Decapoda, Brachyura, Portunidae), in the Ubatuba littoral, São Paulo State, Brazil. Crustaceana 71, 434–452.
Pinheiro MAA, Fiscarelli AG. 2009. Length–weight relationship and condition factor of the mangrove crab Ucides cordatus (Linnaeus, 1763) (Crustacea, Brachyura, Ucididae). Brazilian Archives of Biology and Technology 52, 397–406.
Ramach S, Darnell MZ, Avissar N, Rittschof D. 2009. Habitat use and population dynamics of blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus, in a high-salinity embayment. Journal of Shellfish Research 28, 635–640.
Ramsar Sites Information Service. 2024. Del Carmen Mangrove Reserve, Philippines. Ramsar Convention Secretariat.
Rohmayani V, Pahlevi RP, Irawan B, Soegianto A. 2018. Length–weight relationships, sex ratio and condition factor of blue swimming crab (Portunus pelagicus Linnaeus, 1758) from Java Sea, Indonesia. AIP Conference Proceedings 2002, 020071.
Sparre P, Venema SC. 1998. Introduction to Tropical Fish Stock Assessment. FAO Fisheries Technical Paper No. 306. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Susanto A, Irnawati R. 2014. Some biological aspects of Thalamita crenata (Portunidae) at Panjang Island, Banten. Bionatura 16, 90–95.
Warburg MR, Davidson D, Yifrach H, Sayag L, Tichomirova Y. 2012. Changes in population structure and body dimensions of two xanthid crabs: A long-term study in a single boulder shore. Arthropods 1, 40–54.
WAVES Partnership. 2017. Valuing the Protection Services of Mangroves in the Philippines. WAVES Policy Series Philippines. https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/272251501076806254/pdf/117757-REVISED-Mangrove-Protection-Services-V2-0727.pdf
Wenner AM. 1972. Sex ratio as a function of size in marine Crustacea. The American Naturalist 106, 321–350. DOI: 10.1086/282774
Widigdo B, Asbar L, Hakim A, Wardiatno Y, Rukisah Y. 2017. Carapace length–weight and width–weight relationships of Scylla serrata in Bulungan District, North Kalimantan, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 18, 1575–1580. DOI: 10.13057/biodiv/d180405
Wovoka. (2023, July 14). Del Carmen Mangrove Forest: A Ramsar treasure of Siargao. Wovoka Travel Blog. https://www.wovoka.com
Louella S. Degamon*, 2026. Morphometric relationships, growth dynamics, and condition factors of Thalamita crenata as baselines for SDG-driven fisheries management. Int. J. Biosci., 29(1), 211-225.
Copyright © 2026 by the Authors. This article is an open access article and distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) license.