Morphometric relationship and growth of the ‘ridge back shrimp’ Solenocera choprai (Decapoda/Crustacea) from Mangalore (southwest coast of India)

65-70‘Ridge back shrimp’, Solenocera choprai, caught from a depth of 70 to 100 m off Mangalore, has been contributing substantially to the commercial fishery of the coast from 1993 onwards. During 2002, the species formed > 50% of the total shrimp landing of Mangalore fisheries harbour (2746 t). Since it is a non-conventional species to commercial fishery, the detailed information about the biology and population characteristics of the species is reported for the first time. The present paper deals with the morphometric relationship like length-weight relationship and carapace length-total length relationship of the species which will be useful in studying the population dynamics of the species. The life span of S. choprai is about 30 months and males and females attain a total length of 66 mm and 83 mm at the end of 12 months, 88 mm and 109 mm at the end of 24 months respectively. The results of the study will help in formulation of strategies for the management of this resource in terms of regulation of mesh size and fishing pressure