New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research abstracts
Short communication Conservation of unique patterns of body markings
at ecdysis enables identification of individual spiny lobster, Jasus edwardsii
Alison B. MacDiarmid
Megan D. Oliver
Robert A. Stewart
National Institute of Water and Atmospheric
Research Limited
P.O. Box 14 901
Wellington, New Zealand
email: a.macdiarmid@niwa.co.nz
Dharini Gopal
466 Adelaide Road
Berhampore
Wellington, New Zealand
Abstract Southern temperate rock lobsters (Jasus
edwardsii) develop complex body markings and spines that vary uniquely
among individuals. These markings are retained after moulting allowing individuals
to be recognised without capture or handling in the field. This enables the
impact of capture, handling, and tagging procedures on subsequent movements
to be more confidently evaluated. Recognition of individuals by natural markings
allows post-moult lobsters that were externally tagged and held in large
communal tanks to be correctly retagged. Distinctive markings on the pedate
processes and on the epistoma, as well as the number and placement of small
spines on the antennular plate are particularly useful for recognising individuals.
It is highly likely that the other Jasus species and the brightly patterned
and coloured Panulirus species have similar body markings and spine patterns
that would aid recognition of individuals.
Keywords tagging; pattern; individual; rock lobster
M04034; Online publication date 8 June 2005 Received 9 February 2004;
accepted 22 July 2004
New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, 2005, Vol. 39:
551-555
0028-8330/05/3903-0551 © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2005
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