ECOLOGY AND POPULATION DYNAMICS OF THE SPINY LOBSTER, 

 PANULIRUS ARGUS , OF ST. JOHN ISLAND, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS 



Mr Louis Barr 



National Marine Fisheries Service 



Auke Bay, Alaska 



Dr. Richard Cooper 



National Marine Fisheries Service 



Boothbay Harbor, Maine 



Mr. Robert Ellis 



National Marine Fisheries Service 



Auke Bay, Alaska 



Dr. William Herrnkind 



Florida State University 



Tallahassee, Florida 



Mr. Ian Koblick 



College of the Virgin Islands 



St. Thomas, Virgin Islands 



Mr . John Van Derwalker 



National Marine Fisheries Service 



Washington, D.C. 



ABSTRACT 



A 6-month study was conducted on the population dynamics and ecology 

 of the spiny lobster, Panulirus argus , by aquanauts working from the 

 TEKTITE II habitat in conjunction with surface support diver- 

 scientists. Population structure by size and sex was defined. Mark 

 and recapture experiments determined population levels for four 

 adjacent study areas. Population turnover occured at the rate of 45 

 to 90 percent per month. Nocturnal periodicity was defined through 

 frequent observations of tagged individuals at marked dens. A hom- 

 ing ability and apparent learned familiarity with the dens of the 

 reef were documented through sonic tracking studies and periodic 

 surveys of the dens of the reef. Population structure and distribu- 

 tion was significantly altered from diver harassment. Information 

 on growth, feeding behavior, and habitation was obtained. 



OBJECTIVE 



The TEKTITE II Lobster Research Project was initiated in April 1970 as a 1-year 

 study of the ecology and population dynamics of the spiny lobster, Panulirus 

 argus , of Saint John Island, U. S. Virgin Islands. Specific objectives were to 

 define the population structure by size and sex, population size, migratory 

 behavior, patterns of behavior re: time of day, growth, mortality, and habitat 

 selection. Results presented herein represent the scientific findings during 

 the first 6 months (late April to late October) of the study, and integral part 

 of the TEKTITE II program. 



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