Distribution and abundance of scyllarid and palinurid lobster larvae in the Gulf of Carpentaria, Australia

Abstract

Plankton samples from the Gulf of Carpentaria contained large numbers of the phyllosomata of Scyllarus martensii and an unknown scyllarid species (Scyllarus sp. A) and smaller numbers of the larvae of seven other scyllarid species (Thenus orientalis and six unidentified species of Scyllarus) and three palinurid species (Panulirus homarus homarus, P. versicolor and P. ornatus). The final phyllosoma stage of Scyllarus sp. A is described. The spatial and temporal variabilities of the more abundant scyllarid larvae are described and related to temperature, salinity and plankton biomass. Both S. martensii and Scyllarus sp. A were widespread in the deeper waters of the Gulf, living in a wide range of temperatures (21.7 to 30.3º C) and salinities (28.9 to 34.3). From the range of stages found on six cruises between April 1976 to March 1977, it appears that these two species reproduce throughout the year, although S. martensii had a broad peak period of reproduction from August to November 1976.