Larval culture of the European spiny lobster Palinurus elephas

Abstract

The development of phyllosomas of the European spiny lobsterPalinurus elephas was examined in recirculating culture systems. Approximately 2000 newly hatched phyllosomas were introduced into each of three 100-L circular culture containers. Two of the containers, A and B, shared a filter; container C had a separate system of similar design. Hatched larvae of the sailfin sandfish Arctoscopus japonicus were fed to phyllosomas in container A, and pieces of the gonad of the mussel Mytilus edulis to those in container B. Phyllosomas in container C received both foods for the first 24 days; thereafter A. japonicus comprised their sole diet. Water temperature was maintained at 19–20˚C in containers A and B and at 16–18˚C in container C. Two individuals from container A and 10 from container C metamorphosed into pueruli after six instars at 65 and 69 days respectively, whereas earlier trials involved an estimated nine instars to metamorphosis after 132 days. Larvae thus cultivated were used to describe, for the first time, the morphological development of Palinurus elephas phyllosomas through metamorphosis to the puerulus stage. Fish larvae, such as A. japonicus may be an important dietary component for cultivation of palinurid phyllosomas.