Desenvolvimento tecnológico no cultivo de filosomas de lagostas palinurídeos / Technological development in the culture of phyllosoma of palinurid spiny lobster / Desarrollo tecnológico en lo cultivo de filosomas de langostas palinurídeos

O desenvolvimento larval completo dos estágios da filosoma da lagosta palinurídeo foi feito em condições de laboratório por vários pesquisadores. A duração dos estágios larvais parece ser específica em relação às espécies. Para as larvas filosomas recentes podem ser fornecidas náuplios de Artemia em combinação com pedaços de gônadas de mexilhões (Mytilus edulis). Gônadas de mexilhões podem ser utilizados exclusivamente após o segundo ou terceiro instar. Grande mortalidade pode ser observada no primeiro instar. A par disso, poucas espécies foram cultivadas devido ao seu dilatado e complexo desenvolvimento larval. A proposta desta revisão é resumir as informações sobre os estudos do cultivo de filosomas.(AU)

The complete larval development of the phylosoma stages of palinurid spiny lobster has been made under laboratory condition by several researchers. Duration of the larval stage seems to be species specific. For the early phyllosomas, food can be consisted of Artemia nauplii in combination with pieces of mussel (Mytilus edulis) gonad. Mussel gonad can be used exclusively after the 2nd or 3rd instar. Heavy mortalities can be noted at the 1st instar. Few spiny lobsters have been raised from egg to puerulus in the lab. Spiny lobsters have a long and complex larval development. The purpose of this review is to sumarize the studies on phyllosoma culture.(AU)

El desarrollo larvario completo de los estadios de filosoma de la langosta espinosa palinúrida ha sido realizado en condiciones de laboratorio por varios investigadores. A duración de las etapas larvais parece ser específica en relacion a las especies. Para las larvas filosomas recientes pueden ser ofrecidas nauplios de Artemia en cobinacion con pedazos de gónadas de mejillones (Mytilus edulis). Gónadas de mejillones pueden ser utilizados exclusivamente após o segundo el tercero instar. Grande mortalidad puede ser observada en lo primeiro instar. Al mismo tiempo, pocas especies han sido cultivadas debido a su dilatado y complejo desarrollo larval. La propuesta desta revisión es resumir la información sobre los estúdios sobre el cultivo de filosomas.(AU)

Aspectos técnicos e econômicos da engorda de lagostas: a experiência do vietnam e perspectiva de desenvolvimento da atividade no nordeste brasileiro / Technical and economic aspects of spiny lobster growout: the viatnamese experience and development perspective for the activity in northeastern Brazil / Aspectos técnicos y económicos del engorde de langosta: la experiencia de vietnan y perspectiva de desarrollo de la actividad en nordeste brasileño

A proposta desta revisão é resumir as informações sobre os estudos da engorda de lagostas em gaiolas no Vietnam. Esta sinopse demonstra que os juvenis podem ser cultivados sob regime de confinamento e se adapta bem as condições artificiais com alimentação. Na aquicultura, na engorda de juvenis de lagostas capturadas na natureza (Palinuridae) até o tamanho comercial está emergindo no Vietnam. No Vietnam o cultivo de lagostas em gaiolas no mar começou na década de 1990. Nesse contexto tradicionalmente a Panulirus ornatus e outras espécies são alimentadas com rejeito de pesca e pescado de baixo valor. O objetivo global da engorda pode ser o alívio da pobreza, e neste respeito para os criadores de lagostas é em particular uma oportunidade atrativa para brasileiros devido à captura de pós-larvas de lagostas (com autorização dos órgãos competentes) e sua engorda envolve tecnologia simples, mínimo de capital, e é apropriado como uma atividade alternativa de renda para pescadores.(AU)

The purpose of this review is to sumarize the studies on spiny lobster cage farming in Vietnam. The review showed that spiny lobster juveniles can be held in communal culture systems, since they adapt well to the artificial feeding conditions. In aquaculture, the growout phase of wild-caught juvenile spiny lobsters (Palinuridae) to market size is an emerging sector in Vietnam. Spiny lobster farming in sea cages commenced in the 1990s in Vietnam. Traditionally, Panulirus ornatus lobster and other species are fed with bycatch and cheap fish. The main purpose of the growout phase can be the decrease in poverty, and in this respect lobster farming is a particularly attractive opportunity for Brazil, since the capture of post-hatching lobsters (with authorization of the competent organs) and their growout involves simple technology, minimal capital and is ideally suited as an alternative activity for income generation for fisherman.(AU)

La propuesta de esta revisión es resumir las informaciones sobre los estudios de engorde de langostas en jaulas en Vietnan. Esta sinopsis demuestra que los juveniles pueden cultivarse en régimen de confinamiento y se adapta bien a las condiciones artificiales de alimentación. En la acuicultura, el engorde de juveniles de langostas capturadas en la naturaleza (Palinuridae) hasta el tamaño comercial, está emergiendo en Vietnan. Allá el cultivo de langostas en jaula en el mar empezó en la década de 1990. En ese contexto tradicionalmente la Panulirus ornatus y otras espécies son alimentadas con desechos de pesca y pescado de bajo valor. El objetivo global de engorde puede ser el alivio de la pobreza, y con relación a los creadores de langostas es en particular una atractiva oportunidade para brasileños, debido a la captura poslarvas de langostas (con autorización de los órganos competentes), y su engorde involucra tecnologia simple, mínimo de capital, y es apropriado como uma actividad alternativa de renta para los pescadores.(AU)

Inter-cohort growth for three tropical resources: tilapia, octopus and lobster / Crecimiento ínter-cohorte para tres recursos tropicales: tilapia, pulpo y langosta

Growth parameters are an important component for the stock assessment of exploited aquatic species. However, it is often difficult to apply direct methods to estimate growth and to analyse the differences between males and females, particularly in tropical areas. The objective of this study was to analyse the inter-cohort growth of three tropical resources and discuss the possible fisheries management implications. A simple method was used to compare individual growth curves obtained from length frequency distribution analysis, illustrated by case studies of three tropical species from different aquatic environments: tilapia (Oreochromis aureus),red octopus (Octopus maya)and the Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus).The analysis undertaken compared the size distribution of males and females of a given cohort through modal progression analysis. The technique used proved to be useful for highlighting the differences in growth between females and males of a specific cohort. The potential effect of extrinsic and intrinsic factors on the organism's development as reflected in the size distribution of the cohorts is discussed.

Los parámetros de crecimiento son un componente importante para la evaluación de las poblaciones de especies acuáticas explotadas. Sin embargo, es complicado aplicar métodos directos para estimar el crecimiento y analizar las diferencias entre machos y hembras particularmente en zonas tropicales. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar el crecimiento entre cohortes de tres recursos tropicales y discutir las posibles implicaciones en el manejo pesquero. Se utilizó un método simple para comparar las curvas de crecimiento individual obtenidas a través del análisis de distribución de frecuencias de longitudes, para ello se usaron tres casos de estudio de especies tropicales provenientes de diferentes ambientes acuáticos: tilapia (Oreochromis aureus),pulpo rojo (Octopus maya)y la langosta del caribe (Panulirus argus).El análisis consistió en comparar la distribución de longitudes de hembras y machos obtenidas del análisis de progresión modal. Esta técnica puede ser utilizada para resaltar las diferencias en el crecimiento entre hembras y machos de una cohorte específica. En este documento se discute el efecto potencial de los factores intrínsecos y extrínsecos en el desarrollo de los organismos como se refleja en la distribución de tallas de las cohortes.

Estrutura populacional e filogeografia de Panulirus argus (Latreille, 1804) / Population structure and phylogeography of Panulirus argus (Latreille, 1804)

Panulirus argus (Latreille, 1804) é uma das principais espécies de lagosta no Atlântico, sendo um dos maiores recursos pesqueiros do Atlântico Ocidental, onde apresenta um alto valor comercial. A forte explotação da espécie resulta em uma grande pressão sobre suas populações. Recentemente, foi descoberto que sob o binômio P. argus estão contidas duas espécies crípticas que ocorrem em alopatria, uma na região do Caribe e outra na costa brasileira. Esta tese tem como objetivo estudar como se estruturam geneticamente as populações dessas duas espécies, com o propósito de fornecer mais informações para a determinação de estoques e um correto manejo das espécies, e analisar os processos históricos evolutivos que moldaram suas histórias demográficas. Para tal, foram estudados dois marcadores mitocondriais (região controle e o gene da Citocromo Oxidase I) e loci de microssatélites de indivíduos de 7 regiões do Caribe (Florida, Bahamas, Turks e Caicos, Porto Rico, Cuba, Colômbia e Venezuela) e 11 estados do Brasil (Pará, Maranhão, Piauí, Ceará, Rio Grande do Norte, Pernambuco, Alagoas, Bahia, Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro e São Paulo). Dentro de cada espécie foram observadas duas linhagens mitocondriais diferentes, que co-ocorriam, de maneira homogênea, ao longo de suas distribuições. Hipotetiso que essas linhagens foram formadas a partir de um evento de vicariância com contato secundário ou como consequência de um efeito gargalo seguido de expansão. As duas linhagens são evidentes nas sequências da região controle mitocondrial, mas no gene da COI foram evidentes apenas em P. cf. argus do Caribe. As linhagens do Brasil se separaram há aproximadamente 233 - 288 mil anos e cada uma sofreu expansão em tempos diferentes, a primeira se expandiu há 100 mil anos e a segunda linhagem há 50 mil anos. As linhagens do Caribe se separaram cerca de 1 milhão de anos atrás e possuem o mesmo tempo de expansão, 50 mil anos. Os microssatélites não revelaram subdivisão populacional ...

Panulirus argus (Latreille, 1804) is one of the main lobster species in the Atlantic, and one of the largest fisheries in the western Atlantic, with a high commercial value. The heavy exploitation of the species results in much pressure on its populations. Recently, it was discovered that under the name P. argus there are two cryptic species that occur in allopatry, one in the Caribbean and the other on the coast of Brazil. This thesis studies the population genetic structure of those two species with the purpose of providing more information to delimitate stocks for fisheries management, and for understanding the historical processes that have shaped their evolutionary demographic histories. For this, we analysed two mitochondrial markers (control region and the Cytochrome Oxidase I gene) and microsatellite markers of individuals from 7 localities in the Caribbean (Florida, Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Colombia, and Venezuela) and 11 States of Brazil (Pará, Maranhão, Piauí, Ceará, Rio Grande do Norte, Pernambuco, Alagoas, Bahia, Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo). Within each species two different mitochondrial lineages were observed. They occurred throughout their distributions, and it is hypothesized that they were formed from a vicariance event with secondary contact or are the result of a genetic bottleneck followed by expansion. The lineages of P. cf. argus from Brazil were only observed in the mitochondrial control region and were separated approximately 233-288 thousand years ago, and each lineage underwent expansion at different times: the first expanded 100,000 years ago and the second 50,000 years ago. The lineages of the Caribbean species were found for the two mitochondrial markers. They were separated about 1 million years ago and have had the same expansion time, 50,000 years. Microsatellites revealed no population subdivision for either species, but the molecular markers together suggest a differential gene...

Patrón reproductivo y talla media de madurez sexual de hembras de la langosta Panulirus gracilis (Decapoda: Palinuridae) en Playa Lagarto, Guanacaste, Costa Rica / Reproductive pattern and mean size of sexual maturity of female lobsters Panulirus gracilis (Decapoda: Palinuridae) in Playa Lagarto, Guanacaste, Costa Rica

The lobster P. gracilis is important as a fishery resource and also contributes to food security of fishers in coastal communities in the North Pacific of Costa Rica. Due to the importance of updating knowledge related to the reproductive pattern of this species, we analyzed 357 specimens of female lobsters caught by the fishing methods of “hookah” and lung diving, from November 2007 to October 2008 in Playa Lagarto. Furthermore, we examined the size composition by depth; monthly pattern of reproductive activity (RAI) associated with the relative increase in sea surface temperature, and also the mean size at maturity using Generalized Linear Models. Four physiological states of sexual maturity showed that females with no signs of mating or sexual maturity have a minimum mean size of 62.3mm of cephalothorax length (CL). There are characteristics of functional maturity from very small sizes ranging from 30 to 50mm CL, being the smallest berried female reported for this specie of 35.8mm CL and the highest percentage of mature females between 70 and 80mm CL. Percentages of RAI remained above 50% during the year except October and January. In addition, it observed an increase in the RAI that started from April and continued until August associated with a relative increase in temperature on March, although the correlation was not significant (r²=0.49, p>0.05). It is possible that the low mean size at maturity (70.2mm LC) for P. gracilis in this region is related to the fishing activity. It recommends the establishment of a ban in the region of at least five months (April-August) in order to protect the reproductive seasonality of the species and to promote a recruitment increase in the fishing areas.

La langosta Panulirus gracilis es importante como recurso pesquero de las comunidades costeras en el Pacífico Norte de Costa Rica. Debido a la importancia de actualizar el conocimiento relacionado con el patrón reproductivo de esta especie, se analizaron 357 especímenes de langostas P. gracilis hembras capturados mediante el buceo con compresor y el buceo a pulmón durante noviembre de 2007 a octubre del 2008 en Playa Lagarto. Se examinó la composición de las tallas por estrato de profundidad, el patrón mensual de la actividad reproductiva (IAR) asociado al aumento relativo de la temperatura superficial del océano, y además se determinó la talla media de madurez sexual utilizando Modelos Lineales Generalizados. Los cuatro estados fisiológicos de madurez sexual mostraron que las hembras sin masa espermatófora y no ovígeras, presentaron las menores tallas con una media de 62.3mm de longitud cefalotoráxica (LC). Se observaron características de madurez sexual a partir de tallas muy bajas que van desde 30 a 50mm de LC, encontrándose la menor hembra ovígera reportada para esta especie de 35.8mm de LC y el mayor porcentaje de hembras maduras entre 70 y 80mm de LC. Los porcentajes del IAR se mantuvieron por encima del 50% durante el año, con excepción de los meses de octubre y enero. Además, se observó un aumento en el IAR que inició a partir de abril y continuó hasta agosto asociado a un relativo aumento en la temperatura a partir del mes de marzo, sin embargo esta relación no fue significativa (r²=0.49, p>0.05). No se descarta que la baja talla media de madurez sexual de 70.2mm de LC para P. gracilis en esta región sea causada por las prácticas de pesca. Se recomienda que se establezca una veda en la región de cinco meses (abril-agosto) con el fin de proteger la estacionalidad reproductiva de la especie y promover un mayor reclutamiento a las áreas de pesca.

Variaciones en la condición nutricional de langostas Panulirus argus (Decapoda: Palinuridae) en la región este del Golfo de Batabanó, Cuba / Variations of the nutritional condition of lobsters Panulirus argus (Decapoda: Palinuridae) in Eastern region of the Gulf of Batabanó, Cuba

Variations of the nutritional condition of lobsters Panulirus argus (Decapoda: Palinuridae) in Eastern region of the Gulf of Batabanó, Cuba. Nutritional condition can affect survival and growth rate of crustaceans, and this is mostly affected by habitat conditions. This study describes the space-temporary nutritional changes in this commercially important species. With this aim, the variations in the nutritional condition (K) of lobsters from four zones (1, 2, 4 and 5) in the Gulf of Batabanó, Cuba, were determined. For this, the weight/length ratio (K=Pt/Lt) was calculated using animals captured in 1981 and 2010. The nutritional condition between areas and sexes, and years and sexes, was contrasted by a bifactorial ANOVA, and the overall length and weight of lobsters were compared using a t-Test for independent samples and unifactorial ANOVA. It was found that the nutritional condition was significantly greater in males than in females. In addition, significant variations between zones were detected for both years. Nutritional condition of lobsters from Zone five was the highest for 1981, while it was Zone two for 2010. Lobsters nutritional state showed significant variations between years, being greater in 1981 (2.34±0.84g/mm) than in 2010 (1.96±0.49g/mm). The inter-zones variations as well as the inter-annual ones seem to be related to the reported variations of the bottom type and the vegetation cover. Seasonal variations in the abundance and distribution of benthic organisms, that constitute food for lobsters, could also be influencing. The differences between sexes, however, were assumed as a consequence of the methodology used and the sexual dimorphism of the species. Due to other K estimation methods, that do not include morphometric measurements, these differences were not detected. We suggested that the P. argus nutritional condition is a good estimator of the habitat condition. Besides, according to the applied K estimation methodology, it was found that different groups of lobsters that have resemblant nutritional condition, did not necessarily observe similarities in the overall mean length or weight, so they could exist under different habitat conditions.

En Cuba, la región del Golfo de Batabanó es la más importante zona de pesca de langosta debido a que de ella se extrae anualmente alrededor del 70% de la captura nacional. Con el objetivo de determinar variaciones espacio-temporales en la condición nutricional (K) de langostas Panulirus argus del Golfo de Batabanó, Cuba, se calculó dicha condición mediante una relación pesolargo (K=Pt/Lt), para lo que se utilizaron ejemplares de cuatro zonas (uno, dos, cuatro y cinco) del este del golfo, capturados en los años 1981 y 2010. Se encontró que en todos los casos analizados la condición nutricional fue significativamente mayor en machos que en hembras. Se detectaron variaciones significativas entre zonas en 1981 y 2010. También entre años el estado nutricional de las langostas presenta variaciones significativas, de manera que en 1981 (2.34±0.84g/mm) fue mayor que en 2010 (1.96±0.49g/mm). Tanto las variaciones interzonales como las interanuales parecen estar relacionadas con variaciones reportadas en el tipo de fondo y la cobertura vegetal. Variaciones estacionales en la abundancia y distribución de organismos bentónicos que constituyen alimento para las langostas también podrían estar influyendo. Las diferencias entre sexos en cambio, se suponen consecuencia de la metodología utilizada y del dimorfismo sexual característico de esta especie, por cuanto otros métodos de estimación de K que no involucran mediciones morfométricas, no detectan estas diferencias.

Biología pesquera de la langosta Panulirus gracilis en Playa Lagarto, Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Biology and fishery of the lobster Panulirus gracilis in Playa Lagarto, Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Panulirus gracilis is a high valuable lobster species with considerable captures along the tropical Pacific coast. In this study, I present some biological and fishery parameters described after a sample of 843 lobsters, landed in Playa Lagarto from November 2007 to October 2008. From landing records, a total of 74.9% of lobsters were below the minimum legal catch size (80mm CL). Carapace lengths were in the range of 42.8 and 143.6mm for males and 115 and 35.8mm for females. The size structure showed a wide overlapping of population segments, and a trend to increase with depth, where lung diving and “hooka” diving operations take place. Sex ratio was 1.36 M:H. The relationship between weight and LC revealed that females are heavier than males of the same size, and this difference was significant (p<0.05). The von Bertalanffy growth parameters for males and females respectively (K=0.45-0.38, LC∞=166.9-121.7) showed accelerated growth compared to other species. Males observed a higher growth rate than females. Furthermore, natural mortality (M), total mortality (Z) and fishing mortality (F) was higher in males (0.49-2.34-1.92) than in females (0.47-1.82-1.42). Recruitment was continuous for both sexes during the year, with an elevated intensity of 18.5% in July. Under the current fishing regime the population could be at risk of collapse, as indicated by the high exploitation rate (E) 0.80. Rev. Biol. Trop. 59 (2): 619-633. Epub 2011 June 01.

Los parámetros biológicos y pesqueros analizados se fundamentaron en una muestra de 843 langostas provenientes de la actividad pesquera realizada en Playa Lagarto entre noviembre del 2007 y octubre del 2008. Las longitudes cefalotoráxicas de los machos estuvo comprendida entre los 143.6 y 42.8 y 115 y 35.8mm para hembras. El 74.9% de las langostas en los desembarques estuvo por debajo de la talla mínima legal de captura (80 mm de LC). La estructura de tallas muestra un considerable solapamiento de segmentos poblacionales y el incremento de las tallas con la profundidad en donde operan las dos modalidades de pesca estudiadas: el buceo a pulmón y el buceo con compresor. La proporción de sexos obtenida fue de 1.36 M:H. La relación entre LC y peso reveló que las hembras pesan más que los machos de una misma talla y que esta diferencia fue significativa (p<0.05). Los parámetros de crecimiento de von Bertalanffy para machos y hembras respectivamente (K=0.45-0.38, LC∞=166.9-121.7) indican un crecimiento acelerado en comparación a otras especies. Los machos por su parte exhibieron una mayor tasa de crecimiento que las hembras. Además, la mortalidad natural (M), la mortalidad total (Z) y la mortalidad por pesca (F) fue más alta en machos (0.49-2.34-1.92) que en hembras (0.47-1.82-1.42). El reclutamiento para ambos sexos presentó un comportamiento continuó durante el año con un pulso de mayor intensidad en julio de 18.5%. El significativo porcentaje de langostas por debajo de la talla mínima legal permitida para la pesca evidencia fuerte presión ejercida sobre las tallas juveniles. Afirmación que es reforzada por el valor de la tasa de explotación (E) determinada de 0.80, que indica que bajo el actual régimen de pesca la población estaría en riesgo de colapso.

Desenvolvimento de juvenis recentes da lagosta espinhosa Panulirus argus (Latreille, 1804) em diferentes temperaturas / Development of early juveniles of spiny lobster Panulirus argus (Latreille, 1804) in different temperatures

O presente trabalho teve por objetivo cultivar juvenis recentes da lagosta espinhosa Panulirus argusem diferentes temperaturas. Foram utilizados 20 indivíduos com peso e comprimento médio (cefalotórax e total) de 2,680 g, 13,8 mm e 40,4 mm, respectivamente. Os juvenis foram divididos em cinco tratamentos (temperaturas: T24, T26, T28, T30 e T32) com quatro repetições em delineamento inteiramente casualizado. Após 180 dias de cultivo, as variáveis físicoquímicas da água foram similares para todos os tratamentos. Os indivíduos cultivados nos tratamentos T26 e T28 apresentaram as melhores taxas de crescimento em relação às lagostas cultivadas nos T24 e T30, sendo observada diferença estatística significativa (P < 0,05). Os juvenis pertencentes ao tratamento T32 morreram antes de completar ummês de cultivo. Concluiu-se que juvenis recentes de P. argus podem ser cultivados nas temperaturas de 24 °C a 30 °C, sendo constatado maior crescimento a 28 ºC.

The present work aimed to culture early juveniles of spiny lobster Panulirus argus in differenttemperatures. Twenty individuals with mean weight and length (cephalotorax and total) of 2.680 g, 13.8 mm and 40.4 mm, respectively were used. The juveniles were divided in five treatments (temperatures: T24, T26, T28, T30 and T32) with four repetitions in an entirely ramdomized experimental delineation. After 180 days of culture, physico-chemicals variables of water were similar in all treatments. The cultured individuals in T26 and T28 treatments showed the best growth rates in relation to lobster cultured in T24 and T30, being observed significant statistical difference (P < 0.05). Thejuveniles belonging to the treatment T32 died before completed one month of culture. It was concluded that early juveniles of P. argus can be cultured in temperatures of 24 °C to 30 °C, with higher growth at 28 ºC.

The early phyllosoma stages of spiny lobster Panulirus echinatus Smith, 1869 (Decapoda: Palinuridae) reared in the laboratory

The early stages of the Panulirus echinatus were hatched and reared in the laboratory. Ovigerous females were captured in their habitat and carefully transported to the laboratory. Larvae were transferred in a recirculation water tank at a density of 10 larvae.L-1. The larvae were fed on Artemia and gonads of mussel Brachydonts sp. Microalgae Dunaliella viridis was added at a concentration of 150 x 10(4) cell.mL-1. Larvae and exuviae of each zoeal stage were preserved in an alcohol 70 percent + glycerin (1:1) solution. The phyllosomas moulted eight times; the intermoulting period of each instar averaged about 7 to 10 days. The main morphological changes of each appendage were described in detail, illustrated and compared with previous reports.

Os estágios iniciais de lagosta tropical Panulirus echinatus eclodiram e foram cultivados em laboratório. Fêmeas ovígeras foram capturadas em seu habitat e cuidadosamente transportadas para o laboratório. As larvas foram cultivadas em tanques de recirculação de água e alimentadas com náuplios de Artemia e gônadas mexilhão Brachydonts sp. Microalga Dunaliella viridis foi adicionada em cada tanque de cultivo na concentração de 150 x 10(4) cel.mL-1. Os filosomas mudaram oito vezes e o período de intermuda de cada instar foi de cerca de 7 a 10 dias. As principais mudanças morfológicas de cada apêndice foram descritas, ilustradas e comparadas com trabalhos anteriores.

Macroscopic aspects and scanning electron microscopy of the ovaries of the Spiny Lobsters Panulirus (Crustacea: Decapoda)

In spite of its importance as a major fishing resource in Northeastern Brazil, little is known regardingthe reproductive biology of the spiny lobster. The present study describes the macroscopic morphologyand scanning electron microscopic (SEM) structure of the ovaries of the species Panulirus argus, P.laevicauda and P. echinatus. The morphological study included the parameters developmental stage, colorand surface texture. With samples fixed in Bouin and Karnovsky solution, SEM analyses identified fourdistinct stages (I. immature, II. prematuration, III. mature, IV. spawning/resorption) as well as changesin the organization of the somatic (fibrous tissue) and germinative (oocytes) components at each stage. AtStage I, ovaries consist of nodes or cysts and are lined with thick fibrous components which tend to distendtoward Stage III. The oocytes are rounded and the nucleus/cytoplasm ratio decreases as the cells growlarger and move towards the periphery. As the first SEM-aided description of Panulirus ovaries, the presentstudy represents a contribution to our understanding of the tridimensional organization of the ovariancomponents at different stages of maturation and sheds new light on the changes which occur during thematuration process of spiny lobsters.

Decadal variability in growth of the Caribbean spiny lobster Panulirus argus (Decapoda: Paniluridae) in Cuban waters

Annual von Bertalanffy growth parameters of the Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) in Cuban waters were estimated from a long term study (40 years) by length-based methods ELEFAN and the new version of SLCA. Data of around 800 000 lobsters (with carapace length ranging 14 to 199mm) were randomly sampled in artificial shelters (a non selective fishing gear very common in the lobster fishery), through the field monitory program established for this species since 1963 in 14 localities of southwestern Cuban shelf. The software ELEFAN showed problems to converge in an optimal combination of the instantaneous growth coefficient (K) and the asymptotic length of the von Bertalanffy equation, whereas the new SLCA software produced value estimates of K between 0.20 and 0.27 year-1 and values of asymptotic length between 177 and 190 mm carapace length, all within the range reported in the literature. The standardized anomalies of both parameters showed the presence of cycles along the analyzed time series. Decadal variability in growth parameters was revealed through the spectral analysis indicating cycles of 16 and 20 years for K and of 16 years for asymptotic length. The incidence of some factors such as biomass and temperature that modulate growth in this crustacean was explored, using a nonlinear multiple regression model. These combined factors explained 33% and 69% of the variability of K and asymptotic length respectively. The growth coefficient appeared to be maximum with annual mean sea surface temperature of 28.1º C and the largest asymptotic length is reached at a annual men biomass level of 23 000 t. These results should be the basis to understand the Cuban lobster population dynamics

Los parámetros de crecimiento anuales para la langosta espinosa del Caribe (Panulirus argus) en aguas cubanas se estimaron para una serie de 40 años de datos de composición por longitud, a través de los métodos indirectos basados en la talla ELEFAN y el nuevo SLCA. Las composiciones por talla de alrededor de 800 000 langostas (con un ámbito de longitud de cefalotórax entre 14 y 199 mm) fueron obtenidas en muestreos aleatorios, realizados en arrecifes artificiales (arte de pesca muy común en esta pesquería cubana), a través del programa de monitoreo de campo establecido para esta especie desde 1963 en 14 localidades del Golfo de Batabanó, plataforma suroccidental de Cuba. El método ELEFAN mostró problemas para convergir en una combinación óptima del coeficiente de crecimiento (K) y el largo asintótico de la ecuación de von Bertalanffy, mientras que el método nuevo SLCA proporcionó valores de K entre 0.20 y 0.27 año-1 y de largo asintótico entre 177 y 190 mm de longitud de cefalotórax, todos dentro del ámbito reportado en la literatura. Las anomalías estandarizadas de ambos parámetros mostraron la existencia de ciclos a lo largo de la serie de tiempo analizada. El análisis espectral demostró una variabilidad decadal en los parámetros de crecimiento, con ciclos significativos de 16 y 20 años para K y de 16 años para largo asintótico. La incidencia de algunos factores, que modulan el crecimiento en este valioso crustáceo, como la biomasa y la temperatura fue explorada usando un modelo nolineal de regresión múltiple. Los resultados indicaron que ambos factores combinados explican el 33% y el 69% de la variabilidad de la K y del largo asintótico respectivamente. El coeficiente de crecimiento alcanzó su máximo con temperaturas medias anuales de superficie del mar de 28.1º C y el mayor valor de L 8se alcanza con niveles en la biomasa media anual de 23 000 t. La consideración de estos resultados debe ser la base para estudios posteriores en el conocimiento y predicción de la dinámica de la población de langosta en Cuba