monthly changes in the hepatopancreas index and its effect on moulting in lobster thenus orientalis [land, 1793]

Hepatopancrease and its storage of food matters has a direct action on moulting. The weight of hepatopancrease increases in the period between two moulting processes, while it suddenly decreases after moulting directly. By tracing the periods at which the hepatopancrease reaches its maximum or minimal value, the number of moulting process in the year can be detected. There are 3 moulting cycles for males and 2 for females per year in T. orientalis within the studied length range