OBSERVATIONS ON POLYCHELES SCULPTUS S. I. SMITH, 1880 (DECAPODA, PALINURA, POLYCHELIDAE) FROM SARDINIAN WATERS (CENTRAL WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN)

We present the first data on the population structure, reproduction, and feeding ecology of Polycheles sculptus S. I. Smith, 1880 from the Sardinian sea. Samples were collected during experimental trawl surveys carried out in 2006-2007 in Sardinian waters, at depths between 1037 and 1598 m. A total of 72 specimens of P. sculptus, 31 males, 40 females, and 1 specimen of undetermined sex, was examined. The sex ratio of the whole sample showed a slight preponderance of females. No significant deviations from the expected 1 : 1 relationship were, however, found along the investigated depth range. A clear seasonality in reproduction was not determined. The species showed a high value of the stomach vacuity index (Cv). The diet was based on eight broad categories of preys, but no dominant prey was recognized. Females showed the greatest width in their diet, though Morisita’s index indicated a large overlap between sexes.