New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research abstracts
Moulting behaviour responses of Bay lobster, Thenus orientalis,
to environmental manipulation
Satoshi Mikami
Australian Fresh Research and Development Corporation
c/o Queensland Department of Primary Industries
Bribie Island Aquaculture Research Centre
P.O. Box 2066
Woorim, Bribie Island
Q 4507, Australia
email: satoshi.mikami@dpi.qld.gov.au
Abstract Bay lobster, Thenus orientalis, locally
known as Moreton Bay bug, is being investigated for aquaculture, and controlling
the moulting process is critical to success in the production of softshell
animals. Identification of moult stages is possible because of the existence
of exoskeleton ecdysial sutures (crack lines) on the gill chambers. The timing
of moulting is synchronised and occurs around sunset when animals are under
a natural day-night condition. The timing and synchrony of moulting can be
manipulated by altering the day-night cycle, whereas the length of the actual
moult stage can be shortened/prolonged by manipulating temperature. During
the intermoult stage for juveniles (average weight 79 g), body weight increases
only by 9%, whereas the majority of weight gain (an additional 44%) occurs
within the short period just before and after the actual moult stage. These
findings have application for the development of “softshell” products, which
can be harvested at around the actual moult stage.
Keywords Bay lobster; Thenus; photoperiod; moult
stage; moult increment
M04016; Online publication date 31 May 2005 Received 8 February 2004;
accepted 26 October 2004
New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, 2005, Vol. 39:
287-292
0028-8330/05/3902-0287 © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2005
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