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Introduced
Species
For OTHER Crustaceans:
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- Jasus edwardsii - Southern Rock
Lobster
- Picture: MDC
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- Habitat: Exposed reef, 0 - 200 m depth
- Distribution: WA to NSW and around Tasmania
- Maximum size: Carapace length to 230 mm
- Diet: Sea Urchins, other marine invertebrates
- Comments:
- Rock lobsters differ from true lobsters by lacking
pincers on the first pair of walking legs. The pleopods (under the tail
or abdomen) are reduced in size and used for carrying eggs rather than
for swimming. The carapace (shell on the head region) is orange-red in
colour in shallow water, whilst deep water individuals can be
reddish-purple or lighter in colour. The South Australian and Tasmanian
fishing industry for southern rock lobster catches approximately 5000
tonnes per year. The Southern Rock Lobster is distinguished from other
rock lobster species by two long spines (horns) projecting forward from
the front of the carapace beside the eyes.
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Lifecycle
After a larval stage (see below), the animals settle in large numbers
in narrow crevices on shallow reefs. Growth varies between locations,
with the largest animals living for more than 20 years.
- EGGS DEVELOP ON FEMALE (each female has 120 000 to 500 000 eggs)
- NAUPLIOSOMA LARVA (first free living planktonic stage)
- PHYLLOSOMA LARVA (live in the plankton for 9 months - 2 years)
- PUERULUS LARVA (transparent, usually resembles adult, lives in
plankton until settles on rocky substrate, develops pigment. Casts
shell and becomes juvenile identical to adult)
- ADULT ROCK LOBSTER (reaches sexual maturity at sizes ranging from
60 - 70 mm depending on the location).
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