Biometric relationships of the spotted lobster, Panulirus echinatus, from Tamandare coastal reefs, Pernambuco State, Brazil

Biometric relationships were recorded for 2431 male and female Panulirus echinatus sampled at Tamandare coastal reefs, Pernambuco, Brazil. The following body measurements were taken: carapace length and width, abdomen length and width, total length, third and fifth pereiopod length, cephalothorax-abdomen and total weight. Twelve relationships were studied to compare the biometric characteristics Of males and females. Eleven of them showed difference between the sexes. Comparing sexes with the same carapace length, males have a heavier cephalothorax and longer third and fifth pereiopods than females, whereas females are longer, wider, and have a heavier abdomen than males. For genders with the same total length, males are heavier and have a longer carapace than females, while females have a larger abdomen. For genders with the same abdomen length, males have a heavier abdomen than females. The relationships TWg/TL and A Wg/AL showed positive allometric growth for the males. All other relationships involving weight, presented negative allometric growth for both sexes.

Development of the ovaries of the lobster Panulirus echinatus (Crustacea: Palinuridae) based on macroscopic and microscopic examination and gonadosomatic relation (GSR)

The developmental stages of the ovaries of the lobster Panulirus echinatus Smith, 1869 were characterized using macroscopic and microscopic features and the gonadosomatic relation (GSR). Based on monthly samples (November, 1999 to October, 2000), a total of 711 females were captured using gillnets. The dorsal region of the carapace was removed to evaluate the ovaries, which were dissected, weighted, preserved in Bouin`s solution, and submitted to histological procedures. The microscopic analysis of the ovaries was assessed by the presence of germinative cells in different developmental phases. When this analysis was combined with macroscopical observations (changes in color and volume of the gonads in the cephalothorax) and GSR, five developmental stages could be identified: immature (I), intermediate (II); pre-maturation (III); mature (IV) and post-spawning stage (V). Statistical analyses confirmed that GSR can be used as an indicator of developmental stage.

Development stages of the reproductive tract of male of Panulirus echinatus Smith (Decapoda : Palinuridae)

This paper characterizes the developmental stages of the testes and vasa deferentia of the Panulirus echinatus Smith, 1869 through comparisons between microscopic findings, macroscopic aspects, and gonadosomatic index (GSR). The lobsters were sampled monthly (November 1999 to October 2000) using seine nets and a total of 1716 males were obtained at Tamandare Bay. Each carapace was cut to allow evaluation of the reproductive organs; the testes and vasa deferentia were dissected, weighed, fixed in Bouin`s solution up to 12 hours and submitted for histological analysis to determine the presence and/or absence of spermatozoa. These measures, along with change in color, size, diameter, development of the spermatophores and the GSR allowed the caracterization of three development stages: immature, intermediate and ripe. In conclusion, the maturity of the testes precedes the maturity of the vasa deferentia. To evaluate if gonadosomatic relation was a good quantitative indicator of the maturity stage, t tests (alpha = 0,05) were used and verified significant difference in the averages of GSR. The statistics corroborated that GSR can be used as indicative of the developmental stages for P. echinatus.