Estimating the duration of the pelagic phyllosoma phase of the southern rock lobster, Jasus edwardsii (Hutton)

The phyllosoma larva of the southern rock lobster, Jasus edwardsii, is thought to be among the longest larval phases of any planktonic larva, with estimates in the literature ranging from 12 to 24 months. In the present study, we have used an extensive archive of samples (over 2800 samples with 680 phyllosoma) to refine the estimate of the duration of the pelagic phase. The distribution through the year of larval stages suggested that larvae from two separate spawning events were present in any 12-month period. Using regression analysis, we have estimated the duration of the phyllosoma phase to be 547 +/- 47.5 days (similar to 18.2 +/- 1.6 months). A new model of J. edwardsii phyllosoma development is presented and compared with data on known hatching and settlement patterns. The new model will improve the paramiterisation of stage-specific biophysical models of larval dispersal and regional connectivity, to better inform management of the southern rock lobster fisheries.