Sex-specific differences in the growth and population characteristics of Sand crab Ovalipes punctatus (De Haan, 1833) in coastal waters of Korea

The sex-specific differences in the growth and population characteristics of the high-commercial-value sand crab Ovalipes punctatus were investigated in Korea. The estimated allometric growth between the sexes showed significant differences in all morphometric measurements. In the classification of growth types, carapace width-chela length exhibited positive and negative allometric growth in males and females, respectively. Carapace width-abdominal width showed positive relative growth in both sexes, and orbital spine width exhibited negative relative growth in both sexes. Consequently, sexual dimorphism was evident in all measured traits. Growth parameters estimated using the ELEFAN function of the FiSAT II program indicated higher values in males compared to females. Asymptotic length (CW