Ovigerous and mature females occurred almost
every month, suggesting reproductive activity of the
species almost year-round. Ovigerous females were
absent in June and November, showing higher
percentages in the summer (December, January and
February) and in the first month of autumn (March),
reducing their percentages over the other months (Fig.
1), suggesting a seasonal-continuous reproduction
(P INHEIRO & F RANSOZO , 2002). These authors suggested a
reclassification of the breeding season proposed by
S ASTRY (1983) for crustaceans. Reproduction is
considered continuous when ovigerous individuals and/
or females bearing mature gonads are present year-round
with similar monthly frequencies throughout. If breeding
is still recorded over the entire year, but monthly
frequency of reproducing females varies with recognizable
periods of higher reproductive activity, then seasonal-
continuous reproduction would apply. If the presences
of ovigerous specimens and/or females with mature
gonads are restricted to a determined period or season,
then seasonal reproduction may be used.