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Size distribution and reproductive potential of green lobster panulirus gracilis (Decapoda: Palinuridae) female in Santa Rosa, Manabí, Ecuador

Abstract:

Spiny lobster Panulirus gracilis is a fishing resource of high commercial importance in Ecuador. Studies of fecundity and reproductive potential of population are fundamental and ensures sustainable use for the fishery, because it is intimately related with the renewal capacity of population. We analyzed size distribution and reproductive potential of spiny lobsters P. gracilis catched by nets in Santa Rosa, Manabí, Ecuador. Data was collected during July 2011, August, September and November 2012, and a sample of 273 females was obtained. Size of lobsters varied between 58 and 102 mm of carapace length (CL), with an average of 83 mm CL ± 7.1; only 2% of lobsters had legal size (> 103 mm LC). Thirty percent of females were ovigerous stage III. Fecundity varied between 123,255 and 805,632 eggs, with an average of 397,115 ± 148,069 eggs; relative fecundity was 1193 ± 236 eggs for each gram of weight. Reproductive potential analysis showed that females with size < 80 mm CL contribute only with 17.8% of total egg production while females between 90 and 100 mm CL provide 38.2% of total eggs production.