The spiny lobster, Jasus lalandei (H. Milne-Edwards), in South Australia. II. Reproduction

Abstract

The female reproductive cycle is described in detail. The ovarian cycle passes through seven stages of maturation, recognized by changes in macroscopic and microscopic structure. The presence of ovigerous setae in females has been used to estimate size at sexual maturity; these setae are developed fully only at the maturity moult.

No stages of development could be described for the testis from macroscopic or microscopic examinations. The structure of the testis and the process of spermatogenesis are described and compared with results obtained by Matthews (1951) for Panulirus pencillatus (Oliver). No simple indication of sexual maturity was found for males, but an estimate was made using other, indirect, evidence.