Page 43 - BBC Wildlife Volume 36 #06

SPINY LOBSTERS

LIFE-CYCLE: FROM EGG TO ADULT

Spiny lobsters undergo a magical metamorphosis, with juvenile
stages that look nothing like full-grown adults.

EGG
In summer pregnant females, known
as ‘berried’ for the orange, berry-like
eggs attached to their legs, carry
their brood of 11,000–200,000
eggs to deeper waters where they
are incubated for nine months. The
females return to shallow water in
spring to allow the eggs to hatch.

PHYLLOSOMA STAGE
Hatchlings, called phyllosoma, are Females carry
flattened, transparent, leaf-like and eggs on the
3mm long. This unique larval stage underside of
their tail for
is diagnostic of all clawless lobsters.
nine months.
Phyllosoma spend up to 12 months
drifting on ocean currents.
PUERULUS STAGE
The phyllosoma moult 8–10 times
through a process called ecdysis,
shedding their skin in order to grow.
With each moult, their body shape
changes. In the final moult they
Transparent
become a miniature version of the phyllosoma drift
adult, the 2mm-long soft-bodied on currents and
stage known as the puerulus, and feed on other
Above: spiny lobsters engraving highlights the plankton.
shelter during the day anatomical differences settle down to life on the seabed,
and are most active at between the common often among seagrass. Juveniles resemble
night, using their large lobster (left) and spiny adults in appearance
eyes to hunt prey on the lobster (right). ADULT but still have
seabed. Left: a woodcut growing to do.
These long-lived crustaceans
have been known to reach 60cm
and weigh up to 8kg, though
appear to be on the rise, and the spiny lobster fishery individuals over 40cm are rare.
remains relatively unregulated as it currently is, the Sexual maturity is reached at
ensuing free-for-all could lead to a tragic, and avoidable, 4–6 years and 20–35cm in
case of history repeating itself. length. Breeding females are only
receptive for a short period, so
FISHERMAN FRIEND attract mates by stridulating –
Fortunately, the spiny lobsters have an effective advocate in rubbing their antennae.
the shape of Matt. Having worked in the fishing industry
for several years before turning to conservation, he is in a
Adults have
unique position to champion management practices that powerful tail
keep the health of the marine environment and sustainable muscles to
livelihoods for fishermen as a clear focus. jack-knife away
when threatened.
So the race is on. Cornwall Wildlife Trust and CIFCA are
working together to ensure the recovery of this species.
Unlike true lobsters, spiny lobsters have never successfully
been bred in captivity, so it is all down to their successful
management in the wild. Here’s hoping that the
combination of sound policy-making, good citizen science
and a fisherman-turned-conservationist proves to be a
winning one, and we can celebrate the permanent return
of these splendidly spiky crustaceans.

GILLIAN BURKE is a biologist, diver and presenter
of Springwatch, airing on BBC Two now: www.bbc.
co.uk/programmes/b007qgm3
June 2018 BBC Wildlife 43