GROWTH AT MOLT AND INTERMOLT PERIOD IN THE NORWAY LOBSTER NEPHROPS-NORVEGICUS FROM GALICIAN WATERS

Size increase at moult, duration of the intermoult period, and moultin g seasonality of the Norway lobster Nephrops norvegicus off Galicia (M lr Spain) were studied in the laboratory. At a mean pre-ecdysis carapa ce length, CL, of 35 mm the absolute moult size increment (MI) was 2.1 +/- 1.1 mm (mean +/- s.d.) in males and 1.7 +/- 0.7 mm in females. Th is corresponded to percentage moult increments (PMI) of 6.2 and 5.5% i n males and females, respectively. There was a significant positive li near relation between MI and CL in males but not in females. Percentag e moult increments in males were constant throughout the CL range exam ined (21-54 mm), but in females a significant negative linear relation ship was detected between InPMI and CL. In both sexes the growth at mo ult decreased with increasing holding time under laboratory conditions . especially in the case of ecdyses taking place after more than 1 yea r in captivity. Id males, MI was lower in smaller holding tanks. Durat ion of the intermoult period was similar in both sexes (180 +/- 80 day s in males and 174 +/- 65 days in females), and increased significantl y with increasing CL. Moulting seasonality was not marked, but two mou lting seasons in autumn-winter and spring-summer were recorded. The in formation obtained in the present study was compared with available da ta for the Norway lobster in other geographical areas in the NE Atlant ic and Mediterranean.;(C) 1998 International Council for the Explorati on of the Sea.