Reproductive season of the Caribbean spiny lobster Panulirus argus in the coastal waters of northern Brazil

Abstract

The spawning season of the Caribbean spiny lobster Panulirus argus (Latreille) was identified based on adult specimens collected monthly off northeastern Brazil, from August 1982 to July 1988. The maturity indices used were relative abundance of females with full spermatheca, eggs or rests of spermatheca, female gonad weight and relative abundance of stage four females. The main spawning activity occurs in February to May, with an occasional second peak in September/October.