Nutritional condition and gonad development of juvenile and subadult California spiny lobster Panulirus interruptus in two habitats

The nutritional condition of juveniles and subadults of the California spiny lobster (Panulirus interruptus) from 2 sites along the west coast of the Baja California Peninsula, near each other but with contrasting environmental conditions were compared. The northern site presents subtropical environmental conditions and the southern has semi-temperate. The hepatosomatic and blood refractive indices and proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates from the hepatopancreas in 62 lobsters were assayed. Gonad development of the lobsters between the 2 sites was compared. The hepatosomatic index and lipids of the lobsters at each site were different. The nutritional condition indices are affected by gonad development tied to the reserves needed for maturation of the gonads. Nutritional condition and gonad development are strongly related to environmental conditions. This is key to efforts in spiny lobster fishery management.