Effect of eyestalk ablation in the spiny lobster Panulirus homarus (linnaeus): 3. On gonadal maturity

Abstract

Eye ablation induced accelerated gonadal growth in males and females, indicating gonad inhibiting principles in the eyestalk. Eyestalk removal resulted in 'pink haeraolympii' in maturing and mature females and also inhibited the development of secondary sexual characters in them. The normal antagonistic relationship of moulting and reproduction was changed to one of synergism in ablated lobsters. Ablation of eyestalks initiates relatively strong moulting tendency than reproduction in P. homanis.