ABSTRACT
We conducted a two-year study from 1987 through 1989 of the lobster populations within Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary,Florida,U.S.A. and collected information on the population structure,sex ratios,r eproductive dynamics,and sheltering behavior of Scyllarides aequinoctialis (Lund, 1793), S. nodifer (Stimpson, 1866),and Parribacus antarcticus (Lund, 1793). We observed few ovigerous females of any scyllarid species,although we did document evidence of repetitive spawning without molting in P. antarcticus. Scyllarides aequinoctialis and S. nodifer tended to be encountered more frequently in different areas of the reef complex. Scyllarides aequinoctialis was primarily encountered sheltering within complex, high-r elief,coral habitat, whereas S. nodifer appeared to be less specific in its sheltering preference and more commonly observed near unconsolidated sediments. Little evidence of gregarious behavior was observed in any species,as virtually all our observations were of individuals sheltering solitarily. Scyllarides aequinoctialis is apparently capable of a high degree of den fidelity,as a single individual was encountered sheltering in the same den on 23 of the 29 occasions that it was searched by divers during a 22-month period.
Scyllarid lobsters constitute only a minor fraction of Florida’s lobster landings,and are landed primarily along the state’s west coast as by-catch from the shrimp fishery. In the Florida Keys and along the east coast of the state,they are occasionally harvested from spiny lobster traps and by divers. Given the dearth of information regarding scyllarid lobsters in Florida,the status of the fishery is unknown,and there remains need for further life-history information,especially regarding recruitment dynamics, gr owth rates,and reproductive biology before an effective assessment can be undertaken.
