Seasonal changes in depth distribution, sex ratio and size frequency of spiny lobster Jasus edwardsii on a coastal reef in northern New Zealand

Abstract

Patterns of abundance and movement of the spiny lobster Jasus edwardsii (Hutton) (F. Palinuridae) were examined within a coastal reef system. Overall population size remained relatively stable over a 3 yr study period. Marked differences in density, sex ratio and size frequency of spiny lobsters occurred between depths on the reef over a horizontal scale of 300 m. These differences varied seasonally and were related to moulting, reproductive and feeding cycles. They were not directly Linked to fluctuations in sea surface temperature, sea surge or photoperiod. Similar annual trends occurred at other sites. Highest densities of females in shallow (< 10 m) water coincided with moulting in May. Males moved inshore only briefly to moult in October-November often with no concomitant increase in male density in shallow (< 10 m) water. Increases in density of females at the deep (25 m) seaward edge of the coastal reef occurred during the egg-bearing period. In summer (December, January) the density of large males at a deep patch reef (25 to 30 m) increased. These males foraged nocturnally for bivalves on the surroundmg sand flat. Resighting of tagged individuals confirmed that the observed fluctuations in density, sex ratio and size frequency of spiny lobsters at different depths were caused by males and females moving inshore-offshore at different times of the year.