Marine Invertebrates of Bermuda Spotted Spiny Lobster (Panulirus guttatus) By Maria N. Piraino and James B. Wood (Ed) Abstract Taxonomy  Habitat  Ecology  Recent Research  Commercial Importance  Bermuda Laws  Personal Interest  References  Links

Abstract


Panulirus guttatus is commonly known as the spotted spiny lobster or the Guinea chick lobster. It can be found in Bermuda and along the Central Atlantic coasts from Southern Florida to Suriname. P. guttatus is generally a nonmigratory species and is restricted to the shallow fore reef on which it settles. However, females appear to partake in short migrations within their habitat during the breeding season in order to promote larvae dispersal. P. guttatus supports a commercial fishery in Bermuda, and as such, Bermuda has implemented a variety of laws to protect this species against overexploitation.

Taxonomy


Phylum: Arthropoda
  Class: Crustacea
    Order: Decapoda
      Family: Palinuridae


Panulirus guttatus is green, blue, or brown in color and covered in cream spots which extend onto the legs. Longitudinal stripes are present on the three most anterior pairs of walking legs (Sterrer 1986). P. guttatus has a transverse dorsal groove on each abdominal somite and supraorbital spines are usually present (Sterrer 1986).

Habitat


Panulirus guttatus can be found along western Central Atlantic coasts from southern Florida to Suriname, throughout the Caribbean Sea, in the Bahamas and in Bermuda (Holthuis 1991). P. guttatus exclusively inhabits reefs and is most often found on the fore reef. P. guttatus also occurs at lagoonal patch reefs but numbers on the patch reefs are low (Sharp et al. 1997; Briones-Fourzán and Contreras-Oritz 1999). Generally observed in shallow water (Sterrer 1986; Pollock 1997), P. guttatus is typically seen in large, dark caverns and on the undersides of coral heads where it is able to fully retreat into the reef (Sharp et al. 1997). Individual lobsters spend their entire benthic lives restricted to a small portion of the reef on which it settles (Sharp et al. 1997).

Ecology


Spiny lobsters are considered to be mature when both the gonads are able to produce viable gametes and when secondary characteristics, such as leg development, are developed enough to allow successful mating (Evans et al. 1995). Size in which functional maturity is reached varies by population (Evans et al. 1995). Substantial development of the walking legs relative to carapace length is seen in male spiny lobsters since the front walking legs are used in the mating act and in dominance displays (Evans et al. 1995). The presence or absence of setae on the abdominal pleopods also indicates maturity (Evans et al. 1995). Fishing pressure, density dependent growth, food availability and quality, and water temperature may all influence size at maturity (Evans et al. 1995). Lobsters in cooler waters generally have a larger size at maturity than those in warmer waters (Evans et al. 1995). As a result, animals that reach sexual maturity at similar ages may not be the same size (Evans et al. 1995).

Cooler temperatures and a shorter photoperiod in Bermuda restrict the breeding season of P. guttatus from May to October (Evans and Lockwood 1994); however, this species spawns year round throughout the remainder of its range (Sharp et al. 1997). The entire reproductive process, from mating to the eggs hatching, occurs in the coral reef habitat (Briones-Fourzán and Contreras-Oritz 1999). Furthermore, an area of high reef slope with complex structure provides protection and is therefore preferred by the relatively small female at the critical time of larval release. In general, larval release is followed by molting (Evans and Lockwood 1994).

The pueruli (a transitional form between planktonic and benthic juveniles) of P. guttatus settle directly on the underside of the reef (Sharp et al. 1997). Once settled, these lobsters spend their lives confined primarily to the outermost shallow reefs (Sutcliffe 1953; Sharp et al. 1997). Specific shelter requirements are thought to primarily control the abundance of this species (Sharp et al. 1997). Although P. guttatus is generally reef-dwelling and nonmigratory, it is capable of short-range movement throughout its habitat (Briones-Fourzán and Contreras-Oritz 1999). Movement throughout the habitat varies between males and females and is thought to be due to environmental factors as well as behavior changes linked with reproductive activities (Briones-Fourzán and Contreras-Oritz 1999).

Females migrate to the reef-crest areas in the seaward reefs, including the outer terraces near the edge of the platform, during the summer when they are ready to breed (Evans and Lockwood 1994). Such a seasonal migration may be associated with the release of their larvae into areas having maximum contact with the ocean current gyre (Evans and Lockwood 1994). A return migration to the reef-front terrace and outer terraces occurs from October to December. During the winter and fall, females are found in the reef flats and patch reefs of the outer reefs and inside the reef crest where mating is thought to occur in the spring (Evan and Lockwood 1994).

The occurrence of egg-bearing females is variable during the same season of different years and large females may spawn more than once each year (Briones-Fourzán and Contreras-Oritz 1999). Repetitive breeding results in a decrease in the growth rate of female P. guttatus due to reduced molt increments and increased intermolt periods (Negrete-Soto et al. 2002). Uninjured adult male P. guttatus molt at least 2-3 times per year; however, injury decreases molt increments and growth during molts (Negrete-Soto et al. 2002).

Panulirus guttatus adults forage at night in search for prey on the reef (Sharp et al. 1997) using contact and chemoreception (Cox et al. 1997). Prey of spiny lobsters includes live gastropods, bivalves, chitons, and crustaceans (Cox et al. 1997).

Recent Research


Guzman and Tewfik (2004) conducted a broad visual survey of three exploited species of decapods, including Panulirus guttatus, in the Panamanian archipelago of Bocas de Toro. Details on the population and distribution of spiny lobsters in the area were gathered in order to provide insights into the reduced population of P. guttatus in Bocas del Toro. The extensive surveys conducted indicated that panulirid populations of the area are in an overexploited state (Guzman and Twefik 2004).

Acosta and Robertson (2003) compared the spatial and temporal distribution patterns, density, biomass, size, structure, and reproductive seasonality of Panulirus argus and Panulirus guttatus on several reef habitats in Belize. This research was conducted as a means to define the spatial requirements for protection against overfishing and local extinctions. Population dynamics of the two species were also compared and related to potential future fishing opportunities. Data from this study suggests that a commercial fishery for P. guttatus might be relatively unproductive and may quickly lead to localized extinctions (Acosta and Robertson 2003).

Commercial Importance


Panulirus guttatus does not have significant commercial importance throughout most of its range (Sharp et al. 1997). In most areas, this species is considered to be by-catch or secondary catch of Panulirus argus (Evans and Lockwood 1994). However, specific fishing industries for Panulirus guttatus do exist in Bermuda, Martinique, and at the French West Indies (Evans and Lockwood 1994; Sharp et al. 1997). In Bermuda, P. guttatus yields ranged from 13,000 to 42,000 from 1975-1987 (Evans and Evans 1994).

Bermuda Laws


Bermuda laws mandate that only a person in possession of a lobster license is permitted to take lobsters from Bermuda waters for recreational purposes (Laws of Bermuda 1972). Such a person may only take 2 lobsters per 24 hour period. Lobsters may only be caught with a snare or noose and caught lobsters may not be sold. Lobster fishing is only allowed within exclusive economic zones as specified in the license. Bermuda law prohibits the taking, injury, sale, purchase or possession of any lobster bearing eggs. Commercial fisherman and fishing vessels must be licensed and recreational laws of sale do not apply (Laws of Bermuda 1972). A minimum 1.5 inch mesh net size is required for commercial P. guttatus traps, resulting in a 50mm mean retention carapace length (Evans and Evans 1994).

Personal Interest


Before coming to Bermuda, my experience with lobsters was limited to the Maine lobster. During our first night snorkel on the island, I was lucky to observe both the Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) and the slipper lobster (Scyllarus americanus). Both species were unique and different from the lobsters I was previously familiar with. I thoroughly enjoy finding lobsters crawling around or hiding near their dens during night snorkels and dives. My interactions with the lobsters at night increased my curiosity about the animals and inspired me to learn more through this project.

References

Acosta, C.A. and D.N. Robertson. 2003. Comparative spatial ecology of fished spiny lobsters Panulirus argus and an unfished congener P. guttatus in an isolated marine reserve at Glover’s Reef atoll, Belize. Coral Reefs. 22(1): 1-9.

Briones-Fourzán, P. and G. Contreras-Oritz. 1999. Reproduction of the spiny lobster Panulirus guttatus (Decapoda: Palinuridae) on the Caribbean cost of Mexico. J. Crustacean Biol. 19(1): 171-179.

Cox, C., J.H. Hunt, W.G. Lyons, and G.E. Davis. 1997. Nocturnal foraging of the Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) on offshore reefs of Florida, USA. Mar. Freshwater Res. 48:671-679.

Evans, C.R. and A.P.M. Lockwood. 1994. Population field studies of the guinea chick lobster (Panulirus guttatus Latreille) at Bermuda: abundance, catchability, and behavior. J. of Shellfish Res. 13(2): 393-415.

Evans, C.R. and A.J. Evans. 1995. Fisheries ecology of spiny lobsters Panulirus argus (Latreille) and Panulirus guttatus (Latreille) on the Bermuda Platform: estimates of sustainable yields and observations on trends in abundance. Fish. Res. 24: 113-128.

Evans, C.R., A.P.M. Lockwood, A.J. Evans, and E. Free. 1995. Field studies of the reproductive biology of the spiny lobsters Panulirus argus (Latreille) and P. guttatus (Latreille) at Bermuda. J. Shellfish Res. 14(2): 371-381.

Guzman, H.M. and A. Tewfik. 2004. Population characteristics and co-occuring characteristics and co-occurrence of three exploited decapods (Panulirus argus, P. guttatus and Mithrax spinosissiums) in Bocas del Toro, Panama. J. Shellfish Res. 23(2): 575-580.

Holthuis, L.B. (1991) Marine lobsters of the world. FAO species catalogue. 13: 292.

Laws of Bermuda, Fisheries Act 1972 [title 25 item 8], Bermuda Statutory Instrument SR&O 25/1972, (1972).

Negrete-Soto, F., E. Lozano-Alvarez, and P. Briones-Fourzan. Population dynamics of the spiny lobster Panulirus guttatus (Latreille) in a coral reef on the Mexican Caribbean. J. Shellfish Res. 21(1): 279-288.

Pollock, D.E. 1997. Egg production and life-history strategies in some clawed and spiny lobster populations. Bull. Mar. Sci. 61(1): 97-109.

Shap, W.C., J.H. Hunt, and W.G. Lyons. 1997. Life history of the potted spiny lobster, Panulirus guttatus, an obligate reef-dweller. Mar. Freshwater Res. 48(8): 687-698.

Sutcliffe, W.H. 1953. Notes on the biology of a spiny lobster, Panulirus guttatus, in Bermuda. Ecology. 34: 794-796.

Links

Spiny Lobster by the Fish and Wildlife Research Institue
Marine Inverebrates of Bermuda, Panulirus argus
Marine Lobsters of the World, Panulirus guttatus
Lobsters For Marine Aquariums?