Studies on the morphometry of Macrobrachium nobilii (Decapoda, Palaemonidae)

Fourteen morphometric characters of Macrobrachium nobilii (Henderson and Matthai, 1910), a freshwater prawn were measured from 72 males and 66 females collected at random in field. The growth constant (b) of total length and weight for male (4.28) and female (3.02) differed significantly (P<0.05). Comparison of slopes and elevations of regressions between sexes indicated significant difference in all the studied dependent parameters with carapace length (X), except with carapace width (Y). In males, major and minor chelipeds showed positive allometry while in females the growth was isometric.Quatorze características morfológicas do Macrobrachium nobilii (Henderson e Matthai, 1910), 72 machos e 66 fêmeas de lagostas de água fresca foram medidas. O crescimento constante (b) do comprimento total e peso para os machos (4.28) e fêmeas (3.02) apresentaram diferenças significativas (P