The objective of this study is to evaluate the domestication and the growth performance of the land crab (Cardisoma Armatum) cultured in a rectangular concrete unit.
Crabs are part of the basic components of the ecosystem and they are consumed as food in many countries. Over 100 species of crabs are known worldwide with nine species common in West African countries especially Nigeria.
Crabs are decapods crustaceans which have a very short tail and are covered with a thick shell, or exoskeleton and are armed with a single pair of claws. There are over 6,793 species of crab spread across the oceans, fresh water, and even on land. Among the species are the land crab, the big fisted swim crab (callinectes amnicola), and (callinectes latmanus). These 3 species are edible ones.Crabs mostly occur at the mouth of estuaries and along the course of many main rivers. Crabs which are the basic components of the ecosystem are the most advanced members of the phylum Arthropoda.
The freshwater crabs of Nigeria are true crabs which can be distinguished from false crabs by not having 5 pairs of the pereiopods totally or partly concealed beneath the carapace, the antennae were always placed between the inner margin of orbit and fused Pterygostomial region with endotome. True crabs belong to the Suborder Brachyura of order Decapoda under Class Crustacea. It shows the greatest size range of all arthropods such as observed in lobsters, prawns, crayfishes, shrimps, hermit crab and true crabs.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
1.2 OBJECTIVE
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 DESCRIPTION
2.2 LIFE HISTORY AND POPULATION BIOLOGY
2.3 CONDITIONS REQUIRED FOR CRAB CULTURE INVOLVED THE FOLLOWING
2.3.1 THE SOIL QUALITY
2.3.2 THE WATER QUALITY
2.3.3 THE SIZE OF POND AND CONSTRUCTION
2.3.4 WATER SUPPLY AND DRAINAGE
2.3.5 POND MANAGEMENT
2.3.6 STOCKING
2.3.7 TRANSPORTATION OF CRABLETS
2.3.8 STOCKING OPERATIONS
2.3.9 FEEDING AND FEEDING METHODS
2.4 MUSA SPECIE (BANANA)
2.5 WATER TEMPARATURE
2.6 PHYSICAL TOLERANCE
2.7 BEHAVIOUR CHARACTERS
2.8 REPRODUCTION
2.9 HABITAT DISTRIBUTION
2.10 LOCOMOTION
2.11 SALINITY
2.12 CATCHING METHOD
2.13 STOCK CONTROL NETTING
2.14 HARVEST TECHNIQUES
2.15 POST-HARVEST
2.16 MUSA SPP. (BANANA)
2.16.1 DESCRIPTION
2.16.2 TAXONOMY
2.16.3 Family: Musaceae (banana family)
2.16.4 Distribution: Native to the Indo-Malesian, Asian, and Australian tropics, banana and plantain are now found throughout the tropics and subtropics.
2.16.5 Habitat: Widely adapted, growing at elevations of 0–920 m (0–3000 ft) or more, depending on latitude; mean annual temperatures of 26–30°C (79–86°F); annual rainfall of 2000 mm (80 in) or higher for commercial production.
2.16.6 Propagation: Banana and plantain are propagated principally by vegetative division and far more rarely by seeds (usually only for banana breeding, ornamental types, and wild species). In addition, tissue culture has become standard for commercial plantations in recent years, primarily because of the advantage of starting with disease-free planting material. Edible bananas are almost always seedless (however, some, such as ‘Pisang Awak’, produce many seeds when growing near a fertile pollen source.
2.17 COMPOSITION OF MUSA SPECIE FOLIAGE (BANANA LEAF)
CHAPTER THREE
MATERIALS AND METHODS
3.1 Experimental site
3.2 Sample Size and Technique
3.3 Experimental animals and Design
3.4 Experimental diet
3.5 Growth Parameter Matrix
3.6 Data Analysis
CHAPTER FOUR
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4.1 Data Presentation and Analysis
4.2 MORTALITY RECORDS
4.3 DISCUSSION
CHAPTER FIVE
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1 CONCLUSION
5.2. RECOMMENDATION
REFERENCE
Research Objectives and Themes
This study aims to evaluate the viability of domesticating the land crab (Cardisoma Armatum) and to assess its growth performance when cultured within a controlled rectangular concrete unit environment, utilizing Musa species foliage as a primary feed source.
- Domestication potential of Cardisoma Armatum
- Growth performance evaluation in concrete units
- Nutritional impact of Musa species (banana) foliage
- Mortality rates and environmental stressors in crab aquaculture
Excerpt from the Book
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Crabs are part of the basic components of the ecosystem and they are consumed as food in many countries. Over 100 species of crabs are known worldwide with nine species common in West African countries especially Nigeria.
Crabs are decapods crustaceans which have a very short tail and are covered with a thick shell, or exoskeleton and are armed with a single pair of claws. There are over 6,793 species of crab spread across the oceans, fresh water, and even on land. Among the species are the land crab (Cardisoma Armatum), the big fisted swim crab (callinectes amnicola), and (callinectes latmanus). These 3 species are edible ones (Abby-kalio 1982, Hart and Chindah, 1998).Crabs mostly occur at the mouth of estuaries and along the course of many main rivers (Oyekanmi 1984). Crabs which are the basic components of the ecosystem are the most advanced members of the phylum Arthropoda.
The freshwater crabs of Nigeria are true crabs which can be distinguished from false crabs by not having 5 pairs of the pereiopods totally or partly concealed beneath the carapace, the antennae were always placed between the inner margin of orbit and fused Pterygostomial region with endotome. True crabs belong to the Suborder Brachyura of order Decapoda under Class Crustacea. It shows the greatest size range of all arthropods such as observed in lobsters, prawns, crayfishes, shrimps, hermit crab and true crabs. (Abby-kalio 1982)
Crabs are widely distributed in the tropical and temperate regions of the world. Literature information is scarce on the food values of most edible crabs in West Africa despite the richness of these gastropods. Most people rate the fish higher in preference to crabs which are considered inferior and food for the low income earners. Over 100 species of crabs are known Worldwide with two species; Sudanonautes africanus and Cardisoma armatum readily known to exist with economic value in West Africa; the mud crabs (Sudanonautes africanus) found in estuaries and mangrove. S. africanus inhabits cracks and holes when fully matured and as small individuals are found under rocks in the littoral zone. (Herklots 1988 and Rathbun.1986)
Summary of Chapters
CHAPTER ONE: Provides an overview of the significance of crab species in ecosystems and human nutrition, alongside the specific objectives of the domestication study.
CHAPTER TWO: Reviews existing literature regarding the biological characteristics, natural habitat, and aquaculture requirements of Cardisoma Armatum, as well as the properties of Musa species foliage.
CHAPTER THREE: Outlines the experimental setup, site specifications, animal selection, and methodologies used to evaluate the growth performance of crabs fed with banana foliage.
CHAPTER FOUR: Presents and discusses the experimental findings, specifically focusing on weight gain patterns and mortality records observed over the eight-week period.
CHAPTER FIVE: Concludes the study findings regarding the challenges of crab captivity and provides recommendations for improved future aquaculture practices.
Keywords
Cardisoma Armatum, Land crab, Aquaculture, Domestication, Growth performance, Musa species, Banana foliage, Crustacean, Mortality rate, Experimental design, Freshwater crabs, Crab farming, Feeding methods, Sustainable aquaculture, West Africa
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research focuses on the domestication and growth performance of the land crab species Cardisoma Armatum when raised in controlled, rectangular concrete units.
What are the primary thematic areas?
The themes include the biological characteristics of land crabs, optimal aquaculture environments, the use of locally available vegetation (banana foliage) as an alternative feed, and mortality factors in confined environments.
What is the primary objective of the work?
The primary objective is to evaluate whether Cardisoma Armatum can be effectively domesticated and to measure its weight gain and survival when fed a diet of Musa species foliage.
Which scientific methods are applied?
The study utilizes an eight-week feeding trial, a Complete Randomized Design (CRD), and statistical analysis (ANOVA) to assess growth parameters and determine the significance of differences between treatment groups.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main body covers a comprehensive literature review, detailed experimental materials and methods, performance data presentation, statistical analysis of growth and mortality, and a discussion of environmental impacts.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include Cardisoma Armatum, aquaculture, land crab, growth performance, Musa foliage, domestication, and crustacean diet.
Why is Cardisoma Armatum difficult to maintain in captivity according to the findings?
The study concludes that the species shows aggressive behavior and does not easily adapt to long periods in submerged or flooded environments, requiring very specific care regarding environment and shelter.
What impact does climatic factors have on mortality rates in the study?
The experiment observed that high mortality was linked to direct sunlight (causing excessive heat) and heavy rainfall (causing flooding), as the species prefers dry terrestrial environments rather than constant water submersion.
- Quote paper
- Jolaosho Toheeb (Author), 2021, Domestication and Feed Conversion Ratio of Cardisoma Armatum, the Nigerian Land Crab, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/985062
