Reproductive cycle and histological changes in the gonads of the freshwater crab, barytelphusa guerini (h. milne edwards) (decapoda, potamidea)

The annual reproductive cycle of the crab, Barytelphusa guerini was studied during the period January 2015 to December 2015 by measuring monthly histological variations. Histological observations of the monthly gonads revealed that the ripening of the gonads started in the preparatory period of the reproductive cycle i.e. (January to April) or it may be extended upto the month of May. By that time, the gonads of the most individuals attained maturity and spawning began in the months of June and July. The spawning terminated by the end of September and the gonads entered a quiescent period, upto the month of December.