Gonad index and maturation in freshwater crab, Barytelphusa cunicularis

Freshwater crabs, Barytelphusa cunicularis were collected from backwaters of Jayakwadi dam during June 2007 to July 2009. The highest ovarian (5.83 ± 0.104) and testicular (3.06 ± 0.027) index was found in the month of July 2007. The ovarian index in July 2008 was 4.97 ± 0.011 and in Aug 2008 highest testicular index 3.22 ± 0.021 was recorded. The freshwater crab, Barytelphusa cunicularis is a continuous breeder and reproducing females and males were found during the months of July to September. Maximum number of ovigerous females were observed during July to September and the breeding peak was correlated with maximum development of gonads in the crabs. During vitellogenesis, the amount of oocytes in secondary stage increased in the ovary, resulting in the change in coloration of the gonad. Oogonia, primary oocytes, secondary oocytes and follicular cells were histologically described and measured.