Just out of molt
- Thread starter helipilot
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Gonodactylus
Premium Member
It depends on the size and how much it has been eating. Small Neogonodactylus (< 20 mm) can grow 10-15% total length each molt. Animals in the 20-35 mm range7-10% while large animals (> 50 mm) usually grow 2 - 5%. However, with lots of food, I have seen large N. wennerae push 10%. In females, reproduction can reduce this as they put more resources in to eggs.
THis brings up an interesting point. Species that live in rock cavities such as gonodactylids, haptosquillids, etc. usually grow relatively quickly when small and then reduce growth when they reach reproductive size. Burrowers such as squillids continue roughly the same percent growth per molt - and molt frequently - throughout their life. I think this has to do with the scarcity of suitable large cavities for animals that live in pre-existing cavities and the ease at which burrows can be expanded or excavated.
Roy
THis brings up an interesting point. Species that live in rock cavities such as gonodactylids, haptosquillids, etc. usually grow relatively quickly when small and then reduce growth when they reach reproductive size. Burrowers such as squillids continue roughly the same percent growth per molt - and molt frequently - throughout their life. I think this has to do with the scarcity of suitable large cavities for animals that live in pre-existing cavities and the ease at which burrows can be expanded or excavated.
Roy
