Occurrence of the puerulus stage of the rock lobster, Jasus edwardsii at the New Plymouth Power Station, New Zealand

Abstract

More than 4000 specimens of the puerulus stage of the rock lobster, Jasus edwardsii, were collected in the sea water intake of the New Plymouth Power Station during 1977–84. Most specimens were caught between July and September. Sizes of pueruli were similar within years, but there were significant differences in size and number of pueruli between years. Puerulus occurrence was correlated with the late winter and spring increase in frequency of onshore winds, but the seasonality in settlement was probably not caused by this factor alone. Most pueruli at the power station were 9–13 months old, and occurred at any part of the lunar cycle. Oceanic flow patterns in the region suggested that most specimens originated from hatchings along the west coast of New Zealand, north of Hokitika. As the high numbers of pueruli at the power station were inconsistent with the zero catch of pueruli on adjacent collectors, and with the relatively low numbers of juveniles and adults nearby, the power station may attract pueruli.

Key words:

• Jasus edwardsii
• larval recruitment
• New Plymouth
• New Zealand
• Palinuridae
• power station
• puerulus
• rock lobster
• settlement