Metamorphosis of spiny lobsters (Panulirus argus and Panulirus guttatus) in the Yucatan Current as inferred from the distribution of pueruli and final stage phyllosomata

For spiny lobsters (Palinuridae), the co-occurrence of final-stage larvae (phyllosomata) and postlarvae (pueruli) in sampling stations over oceanic waters is indicative of metamorphosis zones, some of which have been found in boundary currents. We hypothesized that metamorphosis of Panulirus argus and P. guttatus off the Mexican Caribbean coast, which has a very narrow shelf, occurs in the swift Yucatan Current (YC). During two cruises conducted in autumn 2012 and spring 2013, a mid-water trawl and a neuston net were simultaneously towed in night samplings along transects up to ~ 100 km across the YC. Hydrographic and current fields were derived from Conductivity, Temperature and Depth, and altimetry data. Metamorphosis occurred mainly within the YC core. However, velocity and distance to the coast of the YC varied with cruise, and features that may favor retention (a persistent coastal eddy and a countercurrent) were detected. Despite differences in size and condition of pueruli between cruises, their energy stores did not appear to decline during the shoreward migration, suggesting that metamorphosing within strong boundary currents may increase the chances of pueruli arriving more quickly to a shore. Based on previously reported current features and swimming speeds, pueruli metamorphosing up to 12 km offshore are more likely to reach the Mexican Caribbean coast without much loss of energetic reserves. This could also occur for some pueruli metamorphosing up to 30 km offshore if encountering the features favoring retention. In contrast, pueruli metamorphosing > 30 km offshore are more likely to be carried into the Gulf of Mexico and elsewhere.