scholarly journals Variación fenotípica de la langosta espinosa Panulirus argus (Decapoda: Paniluridae) en el Caribe Suroccidental

2016 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nacor Wilder Bolaños Cubillos ◽  
Nestor Hernando Campos ◽  
Edna Judith Márquez

The spiny lobster Panulirus argus is an important fishery species in the Western Central Atlantic. Changes in the dispersion range through its life cycle and heterogeneous habitats, suggest that P. argus exhibit phenotypic plasticity. However, the morphometric variation of this species is unknown so far, although this information is relevant in evolutionary studies as well as to solve questions of fishery interest. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine whether P. argus exhibit phenotypic variation between sexes, among five geographic origins and three oceanographic conditions of Southwest Caribbean (Colombian archipelago San Andrés, Providencia y Santa Catalina). A total of 193 P. argus adults were submitted to geometric morphometrics using six landmarks that delimit one half of the sternal plate. The differences in sternal plate size were compared with Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney Tests. The allometric effect was estimated using Multivariate Regression Analysis, the model of allometric slopes was tested by Multivariate analysis of covariance and the sternal plate shape differences was explored using non-parametric comparisons of Euclidian distances and Neighbour Joinnig trees. The results showed that the morphometric variation of sternal plate of this spiny lobster varied according to the gender since the sexual size and shape dimorphisms were significant. In both sexes, the sternal plate shape differed among oceanographic scenarios as it was evidenced by significant differences among Euclidian distances, and the tendency to cluster by North, Centre and South sections of San Andrés archipelago. Additionally, the morphometric variation resulting from phenotypic plasticity to variable ecological contexts may explain the phenotypic differences among genetically similar populations. This information permits to define management units, support the selection of regulatory policies of this fishery and complement the genetic analysis of the species in this Caribbean region.

2018 ◽  
Vol 76 (2) ◽  
pp. 442-451 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaya Gnanalingam ◽  
Mark J Butler ◽  
Thomas R Matthews ◽  
Emily Hutchinson ◽  
Raouf Kilada

Abstract In crustaceans, ecdysis was long believed to result in the loss and replacement of all calcified structures, precluding the use of conventional ageing methods. However, the discovery of bands in the gastric ossicles of several crustaceans with some correlation with age suggests that direct age estimation may be possible. We applied this method to a tropical spiny lobster, Panulirus argus, one of the most iconic and economically valuable species in the Caribbean. The presence of growth bands was investigated using wild lobsters of unknown age and was validated with captive reared lobsters of known age (1.5–10 years) from the Florida Keys, Florida (USA). Bands were consistently identified in ptero- and zygo-cardiac ossicles of the gastric mill and did not appear to be associated with moulting. Validation with known age animals confirms that bands form annually. Counts between independent readers were reproducible with coefficients of variation ranging from 11% to 26% depending on reader experience and the structure used. This study demonstrates, for the first time, that direct age determination of P. argus is possible.


Crustaceana ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 86 (2) ◽  
pp. 158-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raúl Cruz ◽  
Carlos A. Borda

Estimates of spiny lobster stocks (Panulirus argus Latreille, 1804) represent a fundamental input for population assessment models and are, therefore, indispensable for proper management. In this study we analysed methodologies employed in the Gulf of Batabanó (Cuba) and Providencia and Santa Catalina (Colombian Caribbean) to estimate abundance (N) and stock productivity. We found evidence that the relative abundance (CPUE) for trap-like jaulones and skin diving in natural shelters was likely to remain high despite the decline in abundance (hyperstability). In contrast, the proportionality between CPUE and N was satisfactory in artificial shelters (Cuban pesqueros). Stock productivity was greater for jaulones (22 288 kg/km2) than for pesqueros (1309 kg/km2) or natural shelters (15.25 kg/km2), reflecting differences in the productive capacity of each type of fishing gear. In natural shelters the exploitable biomass is under great fishing pressure and the reproductive stock is likely to decrease. Thus, the West zone of Providencia and Santa Catalina, characterized by high-density seagrass and mangrove, should be designated a marine protection area to prevent a lobster fishing collapse. The most effective measure to revert the lobster fishing collapse in Cuba would be to ban the use of jaulones and liftable pesqueros, thereby reducing fishing intensity.


Aquaculture ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 310 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 178-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erick Perera ◽  
F.J. Moyano ◽  
L. Rodriguez-Viera ◽  
A. Cervantes ◽  
G. Martínez-Rodríguez ◽  
...  

1965 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-78
Author(s):  
D. M. MAYNARD ◽  
M. J. COHEN

1. The effects of electrical and mechanical stimulation upon a ‘naturally occurring’ heteromorph appendage growing in place of one eyestalk in Panulirus argus were examined. The heteromorph resembled the outer flagellum of the antennule in form. 2. Heteromorph stimulation elicited both a generalized withdrawal response, and a specific depression of the third segment and flagellum of the ipsilateral antennule. Such a depression response was also elicited upon stimulation of the ipsilateral outer flagellum of the normal antennule and by no other input investigated. 3. The basic similarity of the two responses was confirmed by electromyography and by intracellular recordings from motor neurons and interneurons within the lobster brain. 4. It was concluded that at least one afferent fibre component from the heteromorph and normal flagellum terminated upon the same interneuron pools, while avoiding others, and that consequently these observations provide evidence for the formation of functional inter-neuronal connexions according to type specificity.


Crustaceana ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 69 (8) ◽  
pp. 958-973 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enrique Lozano-Alvarez

AbstractThe spiny lobster catch from Bahia de la Ascensión, a large bay on the central coast of the Mexican Caribbean, is composed mainly of young adults and large juveniles of Panulirus argus. The fishery in this bay is based on artificial shelters called "casitas". A substantial part of the lobsters found beneath the casitas is of sublegal size (minimum size limit ~ 74 mm carapace length, CL). The possibility of ongrowing sublegal juveniles in portable sea enclosures to maximize the harvestable biomass was explored. The enclosures (3 x 3 x 1 m) were installed in shallow depths in the bay. Juveniles taken from nearby casitas were introduced in the enclosures and kept for different periods. Lobsters were fed with live molluscs and fish remains and were provided with suitable shelters. Experiments were conducted in two stages, in 1992 and 1993. Growth in size (CL) and in harvestable biomass (weight of legal-size lobsters) was examined. Maximum growth rates, lower percentages of mortality, and higher increases in harvestable biomass of lobsters were obtained after about 45 days. Confinement periods longer than 45 days resulted in reduced growth and higher mortality. Observations on lobster behaviour showed an increase in aggressive encounters and dominance displays from the third week of captivity onwards, which could be the main cause for the increase in mortality. The alternative of ongrowing sublegal juveniles for short periods (45 days), in conjuction with the casita system, could help increase the unit value of the catch.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document