Swimming Behavior of the Puerulus of the Spiny Lobster Panulirus argus (Latreille, 1804) (Crustacea: Palinuridae)

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Abstract
Pueruli of spiny lobsters, P. argus, observed at Manchoniel Bay, Carriacou, Grenada, swam only at night. Swimming was in a linear, straightforward manner within a few centimeters of the surface, at speeds up to 10 cm/s. Swimming, sinking, approach and retreat postures are described. Pueruli did not detect motionless objects prior to contact, but reacted to turbulence caused by waves or current acting upon objects. Pueruli in the laboratory usually swam only within 3 h after sunset; swimming behavior was the same as in the field and confirmed the inability to detect motionless objects prior to contact. Individuals with more than 2 days of pigment development never swam. During daylight, pueruli buried themselves in sand or hid in algae or crevices. Pueruli seldom exhibited any attraction to light. Reliability of recruit monitoring with artificial floating habitats is discussed.

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