Shellfish Breeding and Hatchery Management (2+1)

6.1.2. Sexual dimorphism

The sexes are separate and there is distinct sexual dimorphism in crabs:

Distinction between male & female based on morphological characters.

Male	Female
Abdominal flap which is folded firmly against the ventral side is narrow (triangle shape) of cephalothorax is slender and triangular. Appendages are present only on 1st and 2nd abdominal segments and the same are modified to copulatory organs. The claws are comparatively larger.	Abdominal flap folded against the ventral side of body is broad (Round shape) and berried females. There are 4 pairs of abdominal appendages present from 2nd to 5th segment and the same are used for carrying the eggs. The claws are smaller.