Spiny Lobster Species Research Articles

Spiny lobster recreational fisheries in Australia and New Zealand: An overview of regulations, monitoring, assessment and management

Spiny (rock) lobsters occur globally and, although harvest is dominated by commercial fisheries, it is important to account for recreational harvest in stock assessments and fisheries management. This paper provides a contemporary review of recreational fishing for five spiny lobster species in Australia and New Zealand. Each jurisdiction has established approaches for collecting data which best meet their information needs (telephone-diary or telephone-recall surveys, charter logbooks, tag reporting). Jurisdictions with specific spiny lobster licences (Western Australia, Tasmania) or mandatory reporting (charter logbooks in Western Australia, tag reporting in Victoria) use these registers as a sampling frame for annual reporting of participation, fishing effort, catch (numbers) and harvest (tonnes). All other jurisdictions use a general fishing licence or general population sampling frame for telephone-diary surveys to provide periodic reporting of catch and harvest. Annual participation in spiny lobster recreational fishing was highest in Western Australia (35,236 ± SE 626 fishers in 2022–23), followed by Tasmania (13,715 ± SE 1067 fishers in 2022–23) and Victoria (5516 fishers in 2020–21). Annual recreational harvest of all spiny lobster species, combined for the most recent data collection period in each jurisdiction, was 830 tonnes; consisting mostly of Western Rock Lobster (Panulirus cygnus) from Western Australia and Southern Rock Lobster (Jasus edwardsii) from Tasmania and New Zealand. This review illustrates the various spatial scales of monitoring, reporting and assessment in each jurisdiction. All monitoring provides information on catch and harvest, with some also reporting participation, effort, carapace length and non-catch related variables. The designs underlying these approaches vary from probability-based (opt-out) and census (mandatory), and it is important to understand the benefits and inherent biases of each. Understanding the parallels between jurisdictions offers valuable insights into how to cost-effectively monitor spiny lobster recreational fisheries and integrate this data into stock assessment and harvest strategies to support sustainable fisheries into the future.

Functional morphology and ontogeny of mouthparts and mouth aperture of Panulirus ornatus and Sagmariasus verreauxi: Implications towards formulated feeds development

Development of formulated feed is now a focal point in advancing the aquaculture of spiny lobster species. This study investigated the functional morphology of two spiny lobsters, Panulirus ornatus and Sagmariasus verreauxi, by analysing mouthpart morphology and mouth aperture. The analysis is focussed on determining likely feed preference based on morphology with the aim to provide knowledge for the development of formulated feeds. There is a strong correlation between the mouth aperture being approximately 4.0 and 7.5% of the carapace length of S. verreauxi and P. ornatus juvenile and adult lobsters, respectively. This finding provides knowledge for development of a species-specific tool that could be used in experimental studies to define optimal dimensions of artificial manufactured pellets in relation to the size of the lobster. Differences in mouthpart morphology through ontogeny included increase of calcification and robustness, and this is likely to reflect a different requirement in the texture (softness/hardness) of the pellet as the animals develop. Spines and setation are a prominent feature of the mouthpart morphology and differ between species and during ontogeny. Spines on maxillipeds II and III and crista dentata on maxillipeds III are likely to play an important role in holding and manipulation of feed prior to ingestion. Pellet texture may need to accommodate these differences in species and age specific mouthpart ontogeny. Ontogenetic changes in setation were found, with much richer setation proportionally to the size of mouthpart in first instar juvenile lobsters, which decreases with size increase. Furthermore, species-specific differences indicate function shifts in mouthparts with life stages. This may indicate differences in filter feeding capacity with age and between species, as reported for other decapods. This is unlikely to be of high importance in pellet feeding but may represent an avenue of investigation for first feeds in juveniles. Collectively, the differences during ontogeny and between species suggest that formulated feeds may need to be tailored to species and life stage, particularly regarding pellet dimensions and texture.

Morphometry characters comparison of the painted spiny lobster, Panulirus versicolor, from three locations in Simeulue Island

The painted spiny lobster, Panulirus versicolor, is an economically spiny lobster species on Simeulue Island. Fishing pressure on this species is suspected of experiencing overfishing, with indications that its size is getting smaller during the fishing season. Therefore, it is necessary to manage existing lobster resources. Several aspects that need to be considered in the sustainability of fisheries management are related to biological aspects, including the study of morphometry characters. This study aims to compare the morphometric characteristics of P. versicolor from three locations in Simeulue Island. The research was conducted from March to May 2023 with three sampling locations, including East Simeulue, Teluk Dalam, and South Teupah. A total of 90 samples were sampled using the random sampling method. To differentiate or classify the population, 15 parameters of spiny lobster morphometry were studied using discriminant function analysis. The results led to the assertion that P. versicolor from three separate places belonged to the same population but had distinct subpopulations. This condition is affected by the lobster samples collected from nearby areas. The investigation of the relationship between length and weight revealed that the growth pattern of P. versicolor in three locations were negative allometric, with length increasing faster than weight increasing.

A New Record of Panulirus homarus homarus (Panulirus spp.) from Malaysia Waters with its Molecular Phylogeny

Spiny lobsters Panulirus spp. of the family Palinuridae Latreille, 1802 occupies the shallow tropical and subtropical waters (<100 m depth). These species are ubiquitous and abundant, yet knowledge of its range, biodiversity, and population abundance in Malaysia is limited. Panulirus homarus is listed as “Least Concern” along with other 11 species out of 21 spiny lobster species in the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) red list in 2022. A total of five species were reported from Malaysia waters. Whilst, this study reports the sixth spiny lobster species, Panulirus homarus homarus, with morphology and molecular genetic information (Cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene) provided. The p-distance within P. h. homarus was 0.2 – 0.6%, n = 12; between P. h. homarus with P. h. rubellus and P. homarus “Brown” was 6.4 – 6.8%, n = 12 and 0.8 – 3.3%, n = 12, respectively. Intra-species p-distance within Panulirus spp. was below 3%, while inter-species was above 10%. This validates the collected specimen as P. h. homarus and P. h. rubellus is the subspecies, but leaving P. h. “Brown” taxonomic status unclear. Thus, genetic information is important in solving many of these systematic and taxonomic problems, because often these species are difficult to distinguished based on morphological criteria. A key to all Panulirus spp. identified in Malaysia waters was constructed. This study updates the marine biodiversity list in Malaysia, where the acquisition of biological knowledge is vital to the protection of the world’s natural resources as well as to the sustainable management of spiny lobster fisheries.

Inferring Stock Status of Painted Spiny Lobster (Panulirus versicolor) in Aru Islands Waters, Indonesia

Three of six commercial spiny lobster species in Indonesian waters was found in Aru Islands waters which exploited continuously using drift gillnet and the catch was dominated by painted spiny lobster (Panulirus versicolor). To ensure the sustainability of the lobster stock, fisheries should be managed properly based on the best available science. In data-limited fisheries, length composition data are most common form information available for researchers and managers since its relatively cheap and simple to collect. In this study, we evaluate the stock status of P. versicolor in Aru Islands waters using three length-based methods: 1) length-converted catch curve (LCCC), 2) length-based spawning potential ratio (LB-SPR) and 3) length-based Bayesian biomass (LBB). The result showed that the mean length at catch of P. versicolor was 80.9 mm in carapace length. Furthermore, the three methods agree that the current status of painted spiny lobster stock seems to be fully exploited where the exploitation rate, the spawning potential ratio, and relative stock size (B/BMSY) were 54%, 35%, and 85%, respectively. Thus, for sustainability of this stock, it is highly recommended to catch P. versicolor at size greater than 80 mm in carapace length.

Spiny lobster fecundity on the Brazilian continental shelf (Decapoda, Achelata)

Abstract Spiny lobsters are the main target of commercial fisheries along the coast of Brazil. Little is known about lobster egg production, making it difficult to estimate reproductive capacity. The purpose of this study was to update fecundity data on Brazilian lobsters as a subsidy for stock management and prevention of overexploitation. For the first time, fecundity equations for the two main Brazilian species of spiny lobster are proposed: Egg count = 29 552e0.0274x (; ; ) for Panulirus argus (Latreille, 1804) collected off Northeastern Brazil and the Great Amazon Reef System, and Egg count = 13 662e0.0361x (; ; ) for Panulirus laevicauda (Latreille, 1817) collected off Northeastern Brazil in 2021. Mean fecundity data for the period 1968-2021 show that fecundity levels declined over four decades, then partially recovered after the 6-month closed season was implemented in 2012, suggesting the measure has been effective at protecting lobster reproduction, allowing stocks of both species to recover between fishing seasons. Efficient management requires strict control of lobster fisheries, regular collection of reliable fishing data and investments in life cycle research.

Spatiotemporal variability in postsettlement energy reserves of the Caribbean spiny lobster

Spiny lobsters have a lengthy larval phase that develops in oceanic waters, followed by a nonfeeding, transparent postlarva (puerulus) that actively swims towards the coast to settle in shallow habitats. After settling, the transparent puerulus (TP) forms a new pigmented exoskeleton (pigmented puerulus, PP) and molts after 3–4 wks into the first juvenile instar (J1), which resumes feeding. Because the swim to the coast and the postsettlement molt are energetically demanding, the nutritional condition of pueruli and J1 is likely to vary with settlement location and over time, potentially playing a crucial role in the recruitment to the benthic population. We examined variation in total lipid and total protein content, as well as in lipid classes, size, and a condition index, in TP, PP, and J1 of Panulirus argus. Samples were obtained from pueruli collectors at two locations of the Mexican Caribbean coast about 150 km from each other in the four seasons of three consecutive years. Our results show a decrease in the total lipid (mainly phospholipid) and total protein content during the TP-PP-JI transition, and a high degree of temporal variability in the size and nutritional condition of pueruli settling at both locations. Despite this variability, all settlers exhibited a relatively consistent high nutritional status in comparison with other spiny lobster species. This may be related to a short onshore transport period of pueruli to this coast, suggesting that limitation of lipid reserves is unlikely to affect their subsequent survival and recruitment to the benthic population.

Catch Diversity of Small Scale Lobster Fishery in Southern Coast of Sri Lanka

The lobster fishery is one of the well-established, highly valued commercial fisheries on the Southern coast of Sri Lanka. There are five spiny lobster species, Panulirus homarus, P. longipes, P. ornatus, P. versicolor and P. penicillatus are recorded in the Southern coast of Sri Lanka. However, the heavy fishing pressure and other anthropogenic interventions have caused a significant depletion of some of these species. Therefore, in order to identify the vulnerability of the lobster species, we studied the species, gender and sexual maturity compositions of the lobster catch with the data collected from nine different lobster landing sites along the southern coast of Sri Lanka during 2019 and 2020. Minitab and MS Excel software were used for the descriptive statistical analysis. According to the results, the dominant species in the sampled landings was P. homarus, with the average percentage of 73.16% in 2019 and 84.65% in 2020. However, least abundant P. ornatus species’ average percentages were 0.74% in 2019 and 0.27% in 2020. Moreover the results reveals the male:female 1:1 sex ratio of the lobster catches as 1:0.9 in 2019 and 1:0.89 in 2020. Most importantly, among all females, there were 43.01% in 2019 and 37.31% in 2020 percentages borne eggs while 48.53% in 2019 and 47.03% in 2020 percentage of females were identified with tar spots. Therefore, considerable caught of tar spotted and egg bearing female lobsters might be a major cause of lobster stock depletion in Southern coast of Sri Lanka. Thus present study would be a preliminary guide for the future studies on sustainable lobster fishery management approach.
 Keywords: Lobsters fishery, Southern coast, Panulirus homarus, Tar spots, Sri Lanka

Barriers in European spiny lobster (Palinurus elephas) aquaculture: What we know so far?

AbstractPalinurids, also known as spiny lobsters, are high‐value seafood, which is economically important for many European and Asian seafood trades. However, the reduction of wild European spiny lobster populations produces a need for developing alternative renewable strategies to meet current and future demands. Aquaculture of spiny lobsters has the potential to become of major economic importance in the coming years with growing markets in Asia, Europe, and America, with Palinurus elephas being a promising candidate species for use in the commercial culture and stock enhancement of natural fisheries. This is due to its shorter larval periods and rapid growth to the critical puerulus stage compared with other spiny lobster species. While we have a basic understanding of the lifecycle and biology of P. elephas, much of this is based on work undertaken on similar species globally. There are many gaps in our knowledge that need to be addressed to make its aquaculture viable with appropriate feeds being an immediate issue as well as many other husbandry‐related factors. Previous studies act as a platform providing a baseline for further research and highlighting constraints. Developments in the use of P. elephas are promising due to realistically bridgeable knowledge gaps, the likelihood of producing sustainable food and the high commercial value of spiny lobsters. This review identifies our present state of knowledge and outlines the scope for further research and necessary technological developments to make it a viable contribution towards crustacean aquaculture in Europe.

Effectiveness of the Food-Safe Anaesthetic Isobutanol in the Live Transport of Tropical Spiny Lobster Species

The strong demand for live spiny lobsters in Asian markets is being met by long-distance airfreight. Holding lobsters out of water during transportation often results in mortalities due to the accumulation of metabolites, especially ammonia. This study examined the potential to improve the survival of tropical lobster species exported from India through the use of the food-safe aquatic anaesthetic isobutanol, both with and without cold stunning, typically used prior to live lobster transportation. The results of the study indicate that treatment with 50 ppm isobutanol in ambient seawater temperature (i.e., 28 °C) prior to simulated live transport for 22 h significantly reduces ammonia levels in the haemolymph in all four lobster species (Panulirus homarus, P. ornatus, P. versicolor and P. polyphagus) compared to lobsters treated with cold stunning (i.e., 16.5 °C) with and without 10 ppm isobutanol. Cold stunning at 16.5 °C combined with 10 ppm isobutanol reduced ammonia levels compared to cold stunning alone only in P. ornatus. All experimental lobsters were returned to ambient seawater after simulated transport and were alive after 48 h. These results indicate that isobutanol has the potential to be used to suppress metabolism during the live transport of tropical lobsters and to reduce mortalities during live transport.

DNA barcoding and morphological identification of spiny lobsters in South Korean waters: a new record of Panulirus longipes and Panulirus homarus homarus.

To date, 19 species of spiny lobsters from the genus Panulirus have been discovered, of which only P. japonicus, P. penicilatus, P. stimpsoni, and P. versicolor have been documented in South Korean waters. In this study, we aimed to identify and update the current list of spiny lobster species that inhabit South Korean waters based on the morphological features and the phylogenetic profile of cytochrome oxidase I (COI) of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Spiny lobsters were collected from the southern and eastern coasts of Jeju Island, South Korea. Phylogenetic analyses were performed using neighbor-joining (NJ), maximum likelihood (ML), and Bayesian inference (BI) methods. The ML tree was used to determine the spiny lobster lineages, thereby clustering the 17 specimens collected in this study into clades A, B, C, and D, which were reciprocally monophyletic with P. japonicus, P. homarus homarus, P. longipes, and P. stimpsoni, respectively. These clades were also supported by morphological examinations. Interestingly, morphological variations, including the connected pleural and transverse groove at the third abdominal somite, were observed in four specimens that were genetically confirmed as P. japonicus. This finding is novel within the P. japonicus taxonomical reports. Additionally, this study updates the documentation of spiny lobsters inhabiting South Korean waters as P. longipes and P. homarus homarus were recorded for the first time in this region.

The potential of the spiny lobster fishery in Aceh waters: A short review

The western-southern and northern coastal waters of Aceh are the potential fishing areas of spiny lobster, which faces the Indian Ocean and the Andaman Sea. Fishing gears that are widely used are lobster gill nets and hand-picking with compressors. In Indonesia, seven species of spiny lobsters are caught in these waters, including Panulirus homarus, P. penicillatus, P. versicolor, P. ornatus, P. polyphagus, P. longipes longipes, and P. longipes femoristiga. The habitat for spiny lobsters is spread from coral reefs, rock, sand, and muddy sand. Panulirus homarus is the most frequently caught species in these waters, followed by P. penicillatus and P. longipes. Panulirus homarus is mainly caught during the dry season (southwest wind) and high waves (May to July), where other lobster species experience a significant decrease in the catch. The stock of spiny lobster in Fisheries Management Area (FMA) 572 (including Aceh coastal waters) has been in an overfishing condition since 2008. Maximum sustainable yield (MSY) of spiny lobster in Aceh coastal waters part of Malacca Strait (FMA 571) is 188.60 tons.yr−1 with a total allowable catch (TAC) of 151.10 tons. yr−1. Furthermore, the MSY for Aceh coastal waters part of Indian Ocean is 292.09 tons.yr−1 with a TAC of 233.92 tons.yr−1. Spiny lobster fishing in Aceh coastal waters must ensure its use in the future, both ecologically, socially, and economically.

Habitat degradation increases interspecific trophic competition between three spiny lobster species in Seychelles

Spiny lobsters (P. penicillatus, P. longipes and P. versicolor) are heavily dependent on habitats like coral reefs, known to be highly vulnerable to climate change-driven degradation. Yet, little is known about their trophic ecology and their adaptive capacity to a changing environment. In this study, we used fatty acids (FA) analysed in the hepatopancreas and δ13C and δ15N stable isotopes analysed in the tail muscle of three spiny lobster species from the Seychelles coastal waters to (1) infer habitat use, dietary patterns and potential for resource competition and (2) investigate the effects of reef type and coral bleaching on their trophic niche metrics. We found that there was a potential for interspecific competition between the three species, shown by their high dietary overlap (mean FA niche overlap ranging from 71.2% to 99.5% for P. longipes and P. versicolor in P. penicillatus) and similar habitat use (δ13C value ranges). P. penicillatus, the largest of the three species, was more a generalist than the two other species (i.e., had a larger FA niche) and P. versicolor seemed to feed on smaller/earlier life stage prey than P. longipes (based on differences in δ15N values). The potential for resource competition of Seychelles spiny lobsters appeared higher in granite than carbonate reefs, and in post-2016 coral bleaching reefs. Our results suggest that P. penicillatus could have a greater adaptive capacity to climate change due to its higher dietary plasticity and that competition between Seychelles spiny lobsters may increase in the future as the frequency and severity of bleaching events is predicted to increase with climate change.

Exploration of the inter‐annual variability and multi‐scale environmental drivers of European spiny lobster, Palinurus elephas (Decapoda: Palinuridae) settlement in the NW Mediterranean

AbstractDetermining the drivers of key ecological processes of commercial marine species is important to acquire basic and essential knowledge for fisheries management and conservation. Here we report on a long‐term monitoring of the settlement of the European spiny lobster, Palinurus elephas, the most commercially important spiny lobster species in the Mediterranean and north‐eastern Atlantic. Densities of recently settled individuals (early benthic juveniles – EBJs) were recorded annually, as an approximation to annual settlement, from 2000 to 2016 (17 years) in three zones of the north‐western Mediterranean: Catalonia (CAT), the Columbretes Islands (COL), and the Balearic Islands (BAL). Settlement, the end point that integrate most of the variability occurred during dispersion, is a complex ecological process governed by the interaction of biotic and abiotic factors that can be in turn influenced by the atmospheric and oceanographic conditions. Using linear regression of the size structure of EBJs, we demonstrate that settlement occurs synchronously in the three study zones. Densities of EBJs were handled as time series, and regression analysis revealed that CAT and COL covaried significantly, but none of them with BAL. Therefore, CAT and COL were analysed together using generalized linear model and much of their joint variability was explained by the mesoscale oceanographic index IDEA. Settlement in BAL showed a different pattern, explained by the joint effect of the atmospheric oscillations NAO and WEMO. Complexity of P. elephas settlement cannot be fully accounted neither for CAT‐COL nor for BAL because settlement seems be driven by more complex unknown multi‐factorial processes. Therefore, further studies are necessary to gain insight into other factors that allow short‐ or medium‐term predictions of settlement. Expanding the study area across the Mediterranean would also allow establishing a complete knowledge of the ecology of the species applicable to the management of the fishery.

Size matters: large spiny lobsters reduce the catchability of small conspecifics

Indices of lobster abundance and population demography are often derived from pot catch rate data and rely upon constant catchability. However, there is evidence in clawed lobsters, and some spiny lobsters, that catchability is affected by conspecifics present in pots, and that this effect is sex- and size-dependent. For the first time, this study investigated this effect in Panulirus cygnus, an economically important spiny lobster species endemic to Western Australia. Three studies: (1) aquaria trials, (2) pot seeding experiments, and (3) field surveys, were used to investigate how the presence of large male and female conspecifics influence catchability in smaller, immature P. cygnus. Large P. cygnus generally reduced the catchability of small conspecifics; large males by 26-33% and large females by 14-27%. The effect of large females was complex and varied seasonally, dependent on the sex of the small lobster. Conspecific-related catchability should be a vital consideration when interpreting the results of pot-based surveys, especially if population demography changes. Analysis of the mean catch rate of large P. cygnus over the past 29 yr indicates that fishery management changes have created significant variations in the abundance of large lobsters. This is likely to have affected the catchability of smaller lobsters, which will have implications for the use of time series catch rate data in the stock assessment and management of this fishery.

Diet of spiny lobsters from Mahé Island reefs, Seychelles inferred by trophic tracers

Spiny lobsters (Panulirus longipes, P. penicillatus and P. versicolor) are an important resource in Seychelles, where they inhabit coastal carbonate and granite reefs that have been impacted by multiple coral bleaching events over the past two decades. Little is known about their biology and ecology in this region. Interspecific competition for food resources was previously suggested, but no quantitative data on the diet of spiny lobsters were available. Using carbon and nitrogen stable isotope compositions and fatty acid profiles of three spiny lobster species and their potential prey, a Bayesian mixing model for diet estimation was applied to compare the diet proportions of spiny lobsters among species and between reef types (carbonate and granite reefs). Model outputs suggested the three lobster species consume mainly crustaceans (Anomoura hermit crabs; half of the diet), then Echinoidea (sea urchins), algae and molluscs. P. versicolor was found to consume slightly more molluscs and algae than the two other studied species, which was consistent with its lower trophic level (2.4 vs 2.8 for the two other species). Trophic level did not increase with carapace length of spiny lobsters, but large individuals had higher carbon isotopic values suggesting that they might feed closer to the coast or more on detritus feeders than their smaller congeners. Diets of spiny lobsters were fairly similar between carbonate and granite reefs, except that lobster inhabiting granite reefs consumed more sea urchins. While our overall findings were consistent with gut contents of Panulirus spp. from other world regions, they should be confirmed, as the discrimination of several prey based on trophic tracers was low, which increased mixing model uncertainty.

An uncommon guest is masked in fisheries landings: The case of the endemic sub-population of red spiny lobster Panulirus penicillatus (Decapoda: Palinuridae) in Costa Rica

Fishery landings composition in tropical developing countries is formed of high diversity of species and some of them are not well-reported in landings or national fisheries statistics. This is particularly the case of the endemic red spiny lobster Panulirus penicillatus (Olivier, 1791) on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. The red spiny lobster is a circumtropical species which has the most extensive global distribution of all the species of spiny lobsters. In order to fill the gap of knowledge regarding the spatial distribution of this species in the eastern Pacific Ocean and highlight its importance to fishing communities, this study focused on data collected from a dive-based bentho-demersal fishery on the northern Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Environmental and fishing effort data were recorded as an input for fitting site-occupancy models to get estimates of occurrence and probability of detection. The most parsimonious model structure for detection suggested that the covariates of diving time and water column visibility had an important effect on detection probability. For the occupancy part of the model, the depth gradient had the strongest effect, with high probability of lobster encounters in shallow rocky reefs near the coastline. These findings point towards an enlargement of the area of occurrence of the endemic sub-population of P. penicillatus to which sampled animals belong. Further, it is discussed potential ecological and fishery factors that explain the low occurrence of the red spiny lobster at this restricted area of the eastern Pacific continental shelf. As a result, a set of research guidelines and management recommendations are suggested for promoting the conservation and sustainable use of this endemic species within the region.

Mismatch of thermal optima between performance measures, life stages and species of spiny lobster

In an ocean warming hotspot off south-east Australia, many species have expanded their ranges polewards, including the eastern rock lobster, Sagmariasus verreauxi. This species is likely extending its range via larval advection into Tasmanian coastal waters, which are occupied by the more commercially important southern rock lobster, Jasus edwardsii. Here, thermal tolerances of these lobster species at two life stages were investigated to assess how they may respond to warming ocean temperatures. We found that the pattern, optimum and magnitude of thermal responses differed between performance measures, life stages and species. Sagmariasus verreauxi had a warmer optimal temperature for aerobic scope and escape speed than J. edwardsii. However, J. edwardsii had a higher magnitude of escape speed, indicating higher capacity for escape performance. There were also differences between life stages within species, with the larval stage having higher variation in optimal temperatures between measures than juveniles. This inconsistency in performance optima and magnitude indicates that single performance measures at single life stages are unlikely to accurately predict whole animal performance in terms of life-time survival and fitness. However, combined results of this study suggest that with continued ocean warming, S. verreauxi is likely to continue to extend its distribution polewards and increase in abundance in Tasmania.

Species composition of puerulus spiny lobsters from the South Sea of Pacitan of East Java, Indonesia

There are about six species of tropical spiny lobsters within a group of Panulirus inhabit Indonesia archipelagic waters. A lobster fishery is among relevant national fisheries products. Their social, economic, and ecological contributions to the country are significant. Hence, the lobster’s resource sustainable use always becomes a challenge for the management authority. Life phase distribution of marine organisms in space and time is critical information for management. The equivalent study can be phrased for the lobster population in the South Sea of Java Island of Eastern Indian Ocean. The purpose of this study was to develop formulations to protect ecosystems and conserve lobster resources. Distribution of pueruli larvae of spiny lobster of Panulirus species was surveyed in the South Sea of Pacitan, East Java from January to February 2019. The number of pueruli larvae caught were counted and compared among the species. An ANOVA test was performed for data analysis. There were four species of lobster found. The dominant species was Panulirus homarus (Scalloped spiny lobster). It was followed by P. versicolor (Painted spiny lobster), and P. ornatus (Ornate spiny lobster). The least dominant was P. pennicillatus (Pronghorn spiny lobster). Comparative study on life stage distribution concerning to larval dispersal may support the connectivity hypotheses of the lobster population in the region.

Thermal sensitivity links to cellular cardiac decline in three spiny lobsters

Understanding mechanisms of thermal sensitivity is key to predict responses of marine organisms to changing temperatures. Sustaining heart function is critical for complex organisms to oxygenate tissues, particularly under temperature stress. Yet, specific mechanisms that define thermal sensitivity of cardiac function remain unclear. Here we investigated whole animal metabolism, cardiac performance and mitochondrial function in response to elevated temperatures for temperate, subtropical and tropical spiny lobster species. While oxygen demands increased with rising temperatures, heart function became limited or declined in all three species of lobsters. The decline in cardiac performance coincided with decreases in mitochondrial efficiency through increasing mitochondrial proton leakage, which predicts impaired compensation of ATP production. Species differences were marked by shifts in mitochondrial function, with the least thermal scope apparent for tropical lobsters. We conclude that acute temperature stress of spiny lobsters, irrespective of their climatic origin, is marked by declining cellular energetic function of the heart, contributing to an increasing loss of whole animal performance. Better understanding of physiological thermal stress cascades will help to improve forecasts of how changing environmental temperatures affect the fitness of these ecologically and commercially important species.