Population structure and fecundity of Macrobrachium jelskii (Miers, 1877) (Decapoda, Palaemonidae) on the Batateiras River, sub-basin of the Salgado River, in southern Ceará, Brazil

The freshwater prawn Macrobrachium jelskii (Miers, 1877) is a species with wide geographical distribution. However, the biological and ecological aspects of this are poorly studied. Thus, present study was carried out in Batateiras River, at municipality Juazeiro do Norte, located south Ceará, semiarid region northeastern Brazil. Samples were monthly between January December 2013, along river margins. A total 628 M. specimens collected, 347 males 281 females. overall sex ratio 1:0.81 (M:F). In relation to carapace length, reached sexual maturity 5.1 mm while females morphological 7.1 mm. Females morphometrically larger than males, means ​​of 7.04 (± 1.61) 5.97 0.78), respectively. ovigerous more frequent rainy season. Female fecundity showed positive correlation growth. our results report previously unknown information about for