Jasus lalandii

Jasus lalandii
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1) [1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Crustacea
Class:	Malacostraca
Order:	Decapoda
Family:	Palinuridae
Genus:	Jasus
Species:	J. lalandii
Binomial name
Jasus lalandii (H. Milne-Edwards, 1837)
Synonyms
Palinurus lalandii H. Milne-Edwards, 1837

Jasus lalandii (also called the Cape rock lobster or West Coast rock lobster) is a species of spiny lobster found off the coast of Southern Africa. It is not known whom the specific epithet lalandii commemorates, although it may be the French astronomer Jérôme Lalande.^[2]

Distribution

J. lalandii occurs in shallow waters from Cape Cross, Namibia to Algoa Bay, South Africa, straddling the Cape of Good Hope. It may be found as deep as 46 metres (150 ft) and is usually found on rocky bottoms.^[3]

Description

• 

  Larval forms

• 

  Left lateral view, small male

• 

  Dorsal view

Orange to red-brown, with long antennae extending from the front of the head. Tail fan orange, blue and green. Thorax spiny. Eyes black and stalked.^[4]

Ecology

Generally found on rocky reefs, where it prefers the shelter of crevices. Often seen in groups with antennae protruding from the shelter. Swims backwards in emergencies using the tail., but generally crawls around on the reef. Feeds on mussels, urchins and barnacles, but also a scavenger. Predators include seals, sharks and large fish. Susceptible to low oxygen levels in the water which may cause mass strandings.^[4]

Fishery

J. lalandii may grow up to a total length of 46 centimetres (18 in), with a carapace length of 18 cm (7.1 in). It is widely caught for its meat, with over 6,500 t being caught annually in lobster pots and hoop nets.^[3] In order to prevent overfishing, individual fishing quotas are allocated by the Republic of South Africa to fishermen and companies, totalling 1,700 t.^[5] There is also a closed season from 1 June to 15 November, a size limit of 80 mm (carapace length) and a ban on catching ovigerous females (females which are brooding their eggs).^[6]

See also

• Jasus edwardsii

References

1. A. Cockcroft, M. Butler, A. MacDiarmid & R. Wahle (2009). "Jasus lalandii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 3.1. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved August 22, 2011.
2. Hans G. Hanssen. "Biographical Etymology of Marine Organism Names". Tjärnö Marine Biological Laboratory, Göteborg University & Stockholm University. Retrieved August 22, 2007.
3. Lipke Holthuis (1991). "Jasus lalandii (Cape rock lobster)". Marine Lobsters of the World. Food and Agriculture Organization. pp. 99–100. ISBN 92-5-103027-8.
4. Jones, Georgina. A field guide to the marine animals of the Cape Peninsula. SURG, Cape Town, 2008. ISBN 978-0-620-41639-9
5. "Information on fisheries management in the Republic of South Africa". Food and Agriculture Organization. Retrieved August 22, 2007.
6. "Regulations for fishing of West Coast rock lobster (Jasus lalandii)". South African Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. Retrieved August 22, 2007.