Size at sexual maturity and seasonal reproductive activity of the Caribbean spiny lobster Panulirus argus

Atherley, Nicole A. M.; Dennis, Michelle M.; Behringer, Donald C.; Freeman, Mark

doi:10.3354/meps13762

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 57 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Supplementing this, P. argus females in Saint Kitts and Nevis had a high presence of an undescribed Carcinonemertes sp. in their gills during non-peak periods of reproductive activity [ 47 ] and C. errans infests the brood mass of the Dungeness crab C. magister by living on the exoskeleton until 1–2 days after host oviposition [ 18 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effect of the egg-predator Carcinonemertes conanobrieni on the reproductive performance of the Caribbean spiny lobster Panulirus argus

Henríquez¹,

Stephens²,

Gonzalez-Cueto³

et al. 2023

BMC Zool

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background The Caribbean spiny lobster Panulirus argus is heavily fished throughout its Greater Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico distribution, suggesting a heightened susceptibility to a fisheries collapse. In 2017, a nemertean worm, Carcinonemertes conanobrieni was described from ovigerous females of P. argus in Florida, USA. A year later, the presence of the same egg predator was recorded along the southern Caribbean coast (Colombia). The effect of this egg predator on the reproductive performance, including fecundity, embryo mortality, and reproductive output, of its host is unknown. This study tested whether C. conanobrieni affects embryo mortality, fecundity, and reproductive output in brooding females of P. argus. Results Artisan fishers caught 90 ovigerous lobsters near Pueblo Viejo, Magdalena, Colombia. Each ovigerous female was examined for the presence/absence of the egg predator. Lobster egg mortality (%), fecundity (nº eggs female−1), and reproductive output (%) were estimated. Prevalence of C. conanobrieni in the studied population was 87.78%. The mean intensity of C. conanobrieni (all life stages) in the population was 11.68 (± 1.98) egg predators per brood mass sample. Infected females brooding late-stage embryos exhibited lower fecundity, lower reproductive performance values, and higher embryo mortality compared to infected females brooding early-stage embryos. Embryo stage and worm infection level negatively impacted fecundity and reproductive output. Worm infection level and the number of adult nemertean worms also negatively affected embryo mortality. Conclusions These results demonstrate an adverse effect of C. conanobrieni on the reproductive performance of P. argus. The interactive impact of this egg predator, natural stressors, and anthropogenic stressors on individual P. argus reproductive performance could facilitate losses at large-scale fisheries levels.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effect of the egg-predator Carcinonemertes conanobrieni on the reproductive performance of the Caribbean spiny lobster Panulirus argus

Henríquez¹,

Stephens²,

Gonzalez-Cueto³

et al. 2023

BMC Zool

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Nocturnal foraging excursions can range up to a kilometre or more into seagrass beds or other habitats surrounding the reef (Butler, Steneck & Herrnkind, 2006; Bertelsen & Hornbeck, 2009; Bertelsen, 2013; Briones‐Fourzán & Lozano‐Álvarez, 2013). Adults become sexually mature 2–4 years after settlement at a carapace length of ~75–90 mm (Maxwell et al, 2009; Atherley et al, 2021) and can live for over a decade (Maxwell et al, 2007; Ehrhardt, 2008). Reproduction occurs seasonally during spring and summer (Cruz & Bertelsen, 2009; Atherley et al, 2021), with larger females capable of hatching several clutches of eggs each year (Cruz & Bertelsen, 2009; Gnanalingam & Butler, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Adults become sexually mature 2–4 years after settlement at a carapace length of ~75–90 mm (Maxwell et al, 2009; Atherley et al, 2021) and can live for over a decade (Maxwell et al, 2007; Ehrhardt, 2008). Reproduction occurs seasonally during spring and summer (Cruz & Bertelsen, 2009; Atherley et al, 2021), with larger females capable of hatching several clutches of eggs each year (Cruz & Bertelsen, 2009; Gnanalingam & Butler, 2018). Ovigerous females will make excursions to the forereef to hatch their eggs and release their larvae into favourable currents for dispersal (Bertelsen & Hornbeck, 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anthropause shows differential influence of tourism and a no‐take reserve on the abundance and size of two fished species

Kough

Gutzler

Tuttle

et al. 2022

Aquatic Conservation

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Marine reserves are essential spatial conservation tools that have been shown to work alongside fishery management strategies to provide benefits to ecosystems and communities. Reserves often incentivize local tourism, which can provide the impetus for reserve creation but may have negative impacts on the ecosystem. The COVID‐19 pandemic paused global travel and provided an unprecedented opportunity to compare short‐term changes in exploited populations, during the reprieve from visitation provided by this ‘anthropause’, with the results of long‐term conservation management. Repeated surveys of Caribbean spiny lobster and Nassau grouper were conducted at popular dive and snorkel locations within a Bahamian no‐take reserve and surrounding areas during peak visitation prior to travel restrictions and immediately after restrictions were lifted. Repeated survey results were referenced against surveys over a broader area, including another Bahamian Bank, to examine the consistency of effects and how the ease of access for fishers impacted abundance. In the reserve, lobsters were encountered in significantly greater abundances, and significantly greater sizes of both lobster and grouper were observed in repeated surveys. Significantly more grouper were encountered during the repeated survey within the reserve after travel restrictions, but lobster abundances did not change significantly. Over a broader scale, lobster abundance was significantly greater further from population centres. Observed lobster abundance was affected by habitat and inferred fishing pressure, whereas observed grouper abundance was affected by survey depth, effort, and habitat. Marine reserves had clear benefits for both species and likely facilitated an increase in grouper abundance during the anthropause. Lobsters are a sustainably managed stock in The Bahamas, whereas grouper are a threatened species that appear to have benefited from an unplanned fishery restriction. Well‐managed marine reserves enhance populations long term and can have additive effects with fisheries management over short timescales.

show abstract

Influence of Environmental Factors on Nutritional Condition of Spiny Lobster Panulirus argus (Decapoda: Palinuridae)

2023

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Size at sexual maturity and seasonal reproductive activity of the Caribbean spiny lobster Panulirus argus

Cited by 4 publications

References 57 publications

The effect of the egg-predator Carcinonemertes conanobrieni on the reproductive performance of the Caribbean spiny lobster Panulirus argus

The effect of the egg-predator Carcinonemertes conanobrieni on the reproductive performance of the Caribbean spiny lobster Panulirus argus

Anthropause shows differential influence of tourism and a no‐take reserve on the abundance and size of two fished species

Influence of Environmental Factors on Nutritional Condition of Spiny Lobster Panulirus argus (Decapoda: Palinuridae)

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About