Ornamentation Changes Associated With Growth of Falkland Island Populations of Paralomis Granulosa (Jacquinot, 1842-1847) (Decapoda, Lithodidae)

Abstract

Thirty two species have been described of the lithodid genus Paralomis White, 1856. Many are known from original descriptions only and nearly all are deep water inhabitants (see Takeda, 1974; Haig, 1974; Eldredge, 1976; Sakai, 1978; Takeda & Ohta, 1979; Andrade, 1980; Sakai, 1980; Takeda & Miyake, 1980; Kensley, 1981; Macpherson, 1982, 1983). Although changes in surface ornamentation associated with growth has been little studied in lithodid crabs generally, within the genus Paralomis conspicuous differences between juveniles and adults have been noted for Paralomis inca Haig and P. ?spera Faxon (see Haig, 1974), and was also mentioned for P. granulosa (Jacquinot) (see Miers, 1881; Stebbing, 1900) but not described in any detail. Recently one of us (C.G.) investigated Falkland Island populations of Paralomis granulosa to assess their commercial potential. This study provided a suitable series of specimens for detailed examination of the changes in surface ornamentation which occur as the crab increases in size. Four female