Effects of
experience with shelter in hatchery-reared juvenile European lobsters
Homarus gammarus
G.I.
van der Meeren-2001
Marine and Freshwater Research, 52(8): 1487-1493
(from Current Contents)
Abstract :
Hatchery-reared lobsters will be highly dependent on
shelter after release, and the ability of training to enhance quick
shelter-seeking behaviour was investigated. Single, emergent-phase lobsters
were released in tanks, either with or without shelter present, to determine
whether the lobsters reached the shelter position by chance or not. They
were recovered after two days and re-released into either identical tanks or
tanks without shelter. All lobsters were observed for at least 10 min after
each release; walking direction from the release position and time elapsed
before they entered the shelter were recorded. In additional treatments,
some lobsters were exposed to a mock predator, in the form of a series of
short touches, and times before they reached shelter were compared with
those of lobsters not so touched. Hatchery-reared lobster juveniles adapted
to new environments and shelters. Experienced juveniles were quicker to find
shelter. Time to reach shelter decreased in touched lobsters. Search time
increased in experienced lobsters after removal of shelter.
(Inst Marine Res, Austevoll Aquaculture Res Stn,
N-5392 Storebo, Norway, e-mail: gro.van.der.Meeren@imr.no