ABNORMAL EGG STALK MORPHOLOGY IS CORRELATED WITH CLUTCH ATTRITION IN LABORATORY-MAINTAINED LOBSTERS (HOMARUS)

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Female lobsters attach fertilized eggs to ovigerous setae on the pleopods by a stalk. Often a large percentage of the clutch is lost during the 6-12 mo. brooding interval, especially in laboratory-maintained females. The factors responsible for egg loss during brooding are undefined. The morphological characteristics of egg stalks from wild and laboratory-spawned females were compared. These characteristics were correlated with egg retention. The morphology of egg stalks varies among laboratory-maintained lobsters and there is a strong positive correlation between abnormal stalk morphology and clutch attrition. Improper formation of the egg stalk is a major cause of egg loss in laboratory-maintained lobsters.