Reproductive Biology of Spiny and Slipper Lobster

This chapter presents an account of the reproductive biology of lobsters through a review of exhaustive research carried out across the globe in different species. Lobsters are sexually dimorphic and show marked behavioural changes particularly during the breeding stage. Description of the male and female reproductive structures (primary and secondary), gonadal development, size at maturity, breeding behaviour, external indicators of maturity and morphometric ratios signalling onset of sexual maturity is presented. The structure and nature of the spermatophore and its deposition on the female for fertilization in palinurid and scyllarid lobsters are also discussed. While palinurid lobsters have been the subject of study on a large scale, globally, studies on scyllarid lobsters are relatively restricted. The reproductive cycle in different species of lobsters is described with discussions on breeding season, spawning migration, spawning periodicity, mating behaviour and breeding in captivity. The effects of eyestalk ablation on enhancing maturation in captivity are also discussed. Studies on the reproductive biology of commercially important lobsters are useful in conservation and management of the resource in their natural habitat and improving their aquaculture potential. Results of such studies can be collated to derive minimum fishing size limits and identify closed seasons for protecting spawning populations, as well as in developing successful husbandry practices for captive rearing and propagation.