Observations on the lobsters of Minicoy atoll

Pillai, C S G and Mohan, Madan and Kunhikoya, K K (1985) Observations on the lobsters of Minicoy atoll. Indian Journal of Fisheries, 32 (1). pp. 112-122.

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Abstract

The rock-lobsters Panulirus penicillatus, P. homariis and P. versicolor occur in Minicoy. P. versicolor, now the most common, is possibly a recent arrival as this species has not been previously recorded from here. The spatial distribution, social behaviour, local migration on the reef flats, specific habitat selection and juvenile recruitment of the species in the atoll are discussed. P. versicolor, though present all over the reefs in the atoll, shows a marked prefereence to the leeward side. The species is the most common during November- January, when it seems to migrate on to the upper reef flats. The dominant length range then is 160-180 mm. From the length-frequency distribution during this period, it is estimated that the species has a growth rate of about 6 mm TL per month for the first three years, after which there is an apparent retardation of the rate of growth to 4-3 mm per month. It is estimated by extrapolation that P. versicolor may take 10 to 11 years to attain a length of 460 mm, the maximum the species is known to reach.

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