Demography and natural history of the land crab Gecarcinus ruricola Linnaeus, 1758 (Decapoda: Brachyura: Gecarcinidae) in northern Puerto Rico.

This article focuses on the natural history, population status, and conservation needs of the land crab *Gecarcinus ruricola* in Puerto Rico, specifically within the Reserva Natural Hacienda La Esperanza (RNHLE). The species, classified as vulnerable by Puerto Rico's Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, exhibits a male-biased sex ratio, low population abundance (estimated at approximately 678 individuals), and a lack of juveniles, suggesting recruitment challenges. The study found that hurricanes Irma and María in 2017 contributed to a reduction in effective population size and altered size distribution, with most crabs showing site fidelity within the reserve. Based on these findings, the authors recommend habitat protection, further research on reproduction and population genetics, and a reassessment of the species' conservation status in Puerto Rico.