Laboratory study of the emergence pattern ofNephropsfrom burrows in habitat mud

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Abstract
Infrared photographs were taken of Nephrops established in a tank containing substrate mud and exposed to light/dark cycles simulating those at 70 m depth. Prawns were most abundant on the surface out of their burrow at night, as predicted by experiments demonstrating a nocturnally‐phased, burrow‐orientated, circadian locomotor rhythm. Relatively fewer prawns occurred on the surface by day in the laboratory yet this is the time of greatest commercial catches. Peak commercial catches coincide with the inactive phase of the endogenous rhythm, and low catches at night are perhaps explained by net avoidance during the active phase of the rhythm.

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