On the taxonomy and distribution of Callinectes Stimpson (Crustacea, Decapoda, Portunidae) in Rio Grande do Norte

A faunistic survey of the species of Callinectes Stimpson, 1871 carried out in the coastal and estuarine regions of the State of Rio Grande do Norte yielded five species: C. bocourti A. Milne Edwards, 1879; C. danae Smith, 1869; C. exasperatus (Gerstaecker, 1856); C. larvatus Ordway, 1863 and C. ornatus Ordway, 1863. Specimens examined consist of those collected on a monthly basis from three fixed stations within the estuary of Potengi, Natal during a period of two years and those obtained from other localities. Among the species occuring in the region, C. danae is more abundant and has a wider range of tolerance of salinity while C. larvatus is restricted to the marine habitat. Though C. danae sustains important artisan fishery, C. bocourti of large size also contribute to the fishery