Aiming to estimate the onset of the sexual maturity of Callinectes ornatus on the coast of Ilhéus (Bahia, Brazil), we collected multiple specimens of C. ornatus monthly between March 2003 and February 2005. The otter-trawl was used to have population samples of three sites along the coast, lasting 30 minutes each. Analysis was performed from 1,221 individuals (918 females and 303 males). The size at the onset of the morphological maturity was 41.4 mm for females and 44.2 mm for males. There was synchrony between physiological and morphological maturity. The size at the onset of the maturation of both sexes was lower than those found in other studies along the Brazilian coast.
Brachyura; Gonad; Latitude; Maturity; Morphology; Northeastearn Brazil
