Notes on fecundity in the Marine spiny lobster <i>Jasus edwardsii</i> (Hutton) (Crustacea: Decapoda: Palinuridae)

Abstract

Summary Fecundity in the New Zealand spiny lobster Jasus edwardsii (Hutton) has been investigated by a detailed examination of 14 selected females “in berry” (i.e. carrying external eggs), ranging in carapace lengths from 9.5 cm to 17.0 cm. The following data were obtained for each specimen: (a) the total weight of eggs carried, (b) the average number of eggs per 1 g sample, and (c) the total number of eggs carried. A positive correlation was noted between the total weight of eggs carried and increase in carapace length. The total weight of eggs carried ranged from 26.9 g in a small specimen of 9.5 cm C.L., to 123.9 g in a large female of 16.0 cm C.L. No relation was found between the average number of eggs per 1 g sample and increase in carapace length. A low count of 3,541 eggs per 1 g sample was recorded, and a high count of 5,005 eggs. A direct relation was noted between the total number of eggs carried by J edwardsii and increase in carapace length. The number of eggs carried ranged from a low figure of about 124,278 in a small specimen of 9.5 cm C.L., to a high figure of about 538,242 in a large female of 17.0 cm C.L. The rate of increase in fecundity was found to be greater in smaller than in larger females of J. edwardsii