Speed and Direction of Swimming by Postlarvae of the American Lobster

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Abstract
The postlarva (larval stage IV) of the American lobster Homarus americanus is very different in form and behavior from earlier larval stages. Recruitment to the benthic population occurs during the postlarval period. Field observations in Rhode Island nearshore waters showed most postlarvae to be swimming in northerly to easterly directions. Average swimming speed in the field was 18 cm/s. Swimming speeds in the laboratory averaged 13.2 cm/s for field‐captured and 10.7 cm/s for hatchery‐reared postlarvae. Sustained directional swimming could have a considerable effect on postlarval distribution, and thus on patterns of recruitment to benthic populations.