Distribution of phyllosoma larvae of Scyllaridae and Palinuridae (Decapoda: Palinuridea) in the south-western lagoon of New Caledonia

Densities of phyllosomata of Panulirus, Scyllarides, Parribacus and Scyllarus were measured by plankton sampling in November-December 1996 and 1997 in the lagoon, in a passage through the barrier reef and above the outer slope to the south-west of New Caledonia. A total of 1017 phyllosomata were caught: 584 Panulirus, 66 Scyllarides, 6 Parribacus and 361 Scyllarus. More phyllosomata of Scyllarus spp. were caught in the lagoon than at the other two sites. The larval development of certain Scyllarus species can occur entirely in the lagoon, but morphology of the early stages of the four Scyllarus species caught here was too similar to permit conclusions about specific strategies. Phyllosomata of the Panulirus spp., Scyllarides spp. and Parribacus spp. develop only in the ocean. High densities of Stage I of Panulirus ornatus larvae caught in the passage and nearby ocean suggested that the reproductive adults of this species migrate from coastal areas towards more oceanic areas to hatch their phyllosomata. Stage I phyllosomata of Panulirus and Scyllarides were near the surface and would be carried quickly from the lagoon by the current, whereas this behaviour was not shown for Stage I phyllosomata of Scyllarus sp., and this would probably limit their passive wind drifting.