ABSTRACT
Compared to clawed and spiny lobsters that have higher commercial values, the biological knowledge on scyllarid lobsters is limited at this time. However, the economic importance of several large species of slipper lobsters has increased in recent years due to shifts in fisheries from depleted spiny lobster stocks to autochthonous slipper lobsters. Due to the large number of scyllarid species, the diverse habitats that they occupy, and the different adaptations associated with these surroundings, the members of this successful lobster family are also of special importance from the evolutionary point of view. Considerable progress has been made in the recent years with respect to some aspects of slipper lobster biology. This research has been often focused on a few, relatively large species, mainly Scyllarides spp., Ibacus spp., and Thenus spp., but has only examined limited life-history stages. Further in-depth studies are needed in key biological areas such as taxonomy, phylogeny, and evolution; genetics, particularly those studies that help to distinguish separate stocks within populations; morphology and anatomy, physiology; larval, postlarval, juvenile, and adult ecology and behavior; reproduction; and growth and its control. Future research in these directions should be extended also to additional species. Improving our information base of these key biological topics will also benefit fisheries management and help to preserve currently overexploited populations, as well protect those populations that may become future targets of fisheries.
