Temperature effects on the embryo development and hatching of the spiny lobster Sagmariasus verreauxi

Abstract

Factors affecting the development of the embryos and production of larvae of the spiny lobster Sagmariasus verreauxi were investigated. Mature lobsters were collected from the fishery in New Zealand and held in captivity until they moulted, mated, and extruded eggs. For females, moulting took place in winter (July/August) and mating occurred 58–88 days later in early spring. The ovigerous females were then held at three temperatures and embryo development monitored at approximately weekly intervals. Mean times to hatch were 55, 75, and 130 days at 20°C, 17°C, and 13°C respectively. The total number of larvae that hatched from each female ranged from 0.97 to 1.4 million. The theoretical temperature at which embryo development ceases (a biological zero) for S. verreauxi , of 9.4°C, was calculated from data on the appearance of the median eye, the eyes and the chromatophores, and the time to hatch. An eye index formula was also derived to allow prediction of time to hatch at a range of temperatures using the cumulative difference between the rearing temperature and the biological zero. First instar phyllosomas from embryos reared at 20°C were significantly smaller than those from 17°C and 13°C but there was no significant difference in fitness. This study shows that hatching can be spread over a number of months, without significantly affecting larval quality, simply by manipulating holding temperature.

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