Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India

Distribution pattern of the economically important spiny lobsters of the genus panulirus white, in the Indian Ocean

Volume 17 Issue 2

V. K. Prem Kumar and A. Daniel

Abstract

The spiny lobsters are distinguished from the true lobsters by the absence of large crushing claws characteristic of the latter animals as well as the presence of flexible tail fan. These lobsters gained considerable importance in recent years due to the demands of frozen lobsters for export. The distribution patterns of the species contributing the Indian Lobster Fishery have been studied in detail based on earlier records at well as the material available in the collections of the Zoological Survey of India examined by the authors. An attempt is made to explain the distribution patterns of these species taking into consideration, the prevailing ocean currents influencing the dispersal of the free swimming and fragile-bodied larvae, prior to settling in a favourable substrata, particularly in areas especially near the coast where rocks or reefs offer retreats for them, though the adults also may migrate from place to place to a certain extent. Further studies on the distribution of the larvae of these lobsters in relation to ocean currents are necessary for elucidating several problems connected with the distribution patterns of these decapod crustaceans.

Date : 30-08-1975