SWIMMING BEHAVIOUR OF THE PUERULUS OF THE SPINY LOBSTER, JASUS EDWARDSII (HUTTON, 1875) (DECAPODA, PALINURIDAE)

Abstract

[The swimming behaviour of the puerulus of the spiny lobster Jasus edwardsii is poorly described despite its ecological significance. Therefore, the swimming behaviour of pueruli of this species was recorded for captive animals caught from the east coast of northern New Zealand. Forward swimming velocities were variable among individual puerulus and ranged from 13.0 to 30.7 cm s ­-1 . Backward swimming velocities of 28.6-52.2 cm s ­-1 were recorded. Individuals were capable of sustained forward swimming, whereas backward swimming was primarily used as a rapid reverse escape reaction. The forward swimming posture of the puerulus is described, including swimming with the tips of the antennae protruding from the surface of the water. Attempts to measure the duration of sustained forward swimming of pueruli in a small flume tank failed because the lobsters were not rheotactic, as has been commonly found in fish., The swimming behaviour of the puerulus of the spiny lobster Jasus edwardsii is poorly described despite its ecological significance. Therefore, the swimming behaviour of pueruli of this species was recorded for captive animals caught from the east coast of northern New Zealand. Forward swimming velocities were variable among individual puerulus and ranged from 13.0 to 30.7 cm s ­-1 . Backward swimming velocities of 28.6-52.2 cm s ­-1 were recorded. Individuals were capable of sustained forward swimming, whereas backward swimming was primarily used as a rapid reverse escape reaction. The forward swimming posture of the puerulus is described, including swimming with the tips of the antennae protruding from the surface of the water. Attempts to measure the duration of sustained forward swimming of pueruli in a small flume tank failed because the lobsters were not rheotactic, as has been commonly found in fish.]