Reproduction and growth of the spiny lebbeid shrimp, Lebbeus groenlandicus (Fabricius, 1775) (Caridea, Hippolytidae) in the East Sea of Korea

Abstract

Reproduction and growth of the spiny lebbeid shrimp, Lebbeus groenlandicus (Fabricius, 1775), were investigated based on samples in the East Sea of Korea [= Sea of Japan], from January 2012 to April 2013. We collected 2964 shrimp samples during the study period, which included significantly more females than males (male : female ratio, 1.0 : 1.17). The females were generally larger than the males, and significant differences in the linear-regression slopes of carapace length (CL) versus body weight between the sexes indicate sex-specific differences in allometric growth. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) varied monthly, reaching a maximum in November 2012 (10.28) and a minimum in March 2013 (2.15). The proportion of ovigerous females varied from month to month. The highest values of the GSI coincided with the breeding period, and there was a significant difference between the mean GSI of females with non-eyed and those with eyed eggs, indicating that L. groenlandicus is a consecutive breeder. There was a significant correlation between CL and the number of eggs (EN) in the early egg stages. There was also a significant difference in the slopes of the regressions of CL versus EN between females carrying non-eyed and eyed egg stages. Based on the dry weights in the early egg stages, reproductive output was determined to be 0.18 ± 0.006. The Von Bertalanffy growth function parameters were CL∞ = 38.80 mm, year−1, , and WP = 0.4 for males, and CL∞ = 43.64 mm, year−1, , and WP = 0.6 for females. The growth performance index () was 2.86 for males and 2.89 for females.