New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research abstracts

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Comparative morphology and evolution of the reproductive structures in spiny lobsters, Panulirus

R. W. George

Centre of Excellence in Natural Resource Management
University of Western Australia
Albany, WA 6330, Australia
email: rage1@iprimus.com.au

Abstract  Males and females of the spiny lobster genus Panulirus have evolved a range of modifications to the penile process and the thoracic sternum respectively. The pattern of evolution of the reproductive structures confirms the previously presented patterns of speciation in Panulirus, based on genetics and on the morphology of adults, larvae, and pueruli. These structures may have themselves helped to initiate speciation in Panulirus and may have evolved as a consequence of the longer lasting spermatophoric mass and the delayed use of sperm by the females of some species. During courting, body caresses enable males to assess the size of females. The evolution of different copulatory structures heightens the probability of same-species mating and for the male to confirm a female’s size and reproductive status, and ejaculate and correctly position an external spermatophore of the required size.

Keywords  reproductive structures; evolution; Panulirus; mating; external spermatophoric mass; tar spot; delayed fertilisation

M04033; Online publication date 8 June 2005 Received 10 February 2004; accepted 24 December 2004
New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, 2005, Vol. 39: 493-501
0028-8330/05/3903-0493 © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2005

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