An outbreak of shell disease in American lobster (Homarus americanus) over the past several years has generated a great deal attention and concern regarding its causes spread into New England coastal waters. examination within Massachusetts state waters was conducted from 2000 through 2004. The overall average incidence observed our data 3% males 8% females. Female lobsters were more likely to exhibit symptoms than males, larger possess smaller lobsters. Disease highest May June, immediately...

Abstract Lobsters in southern New England (SNE) have experienced decades of environmental stressors along with a suite emerging diseases. We hypothesized that the sublethal effects physiological stress resulting from increased temperatures contributed to decline reproductive investment SNE lobsters. Using presence epizootic shell disease (ESD) as proxy for stress, we examined lobster potential fecundity through number recently extruded, early-stage eggs and their nutritional quality;...

Epizootic shell disease (ESD) is a persistent threat to the population of American lobsters, Homarus americanus H. Milne-Edwards, 1837, in Long Island Sound and off southern New England, USA. ESD caused by bacterial dysbiosis that occurs association with increased water temperature exposure anthropogenic stressors. Temperature leading factor driving severity incidence ESD. Our objective was quantify progression dynamics relation host molting mortality at three rigorously controlled...

Abstract During the 1990s, coastal habitat off southeastern Massachusetts (SEMA) supported commercially viable fisheries for American lobster ( Homarus americanus ). Over past two decades, landings and post‐larval settlement of lobsters in this region, which is near southern edge species' range, have declined substantially, concurrent with a period significant warming waters New England. Previous work has suggested that rising ocean temperatures may adversely impact survival larval early...

Variation in the quality of ejaculate produced by male American lobsters, Homarus americanusMilne Edwards, 1837, has been previously described, but never quantified. This study examined size and composition ejaculates 111 males ranging from 60 to |$108\,{\rm{mm}}$| carapace length (CL). Ejaculates were obtained via electrical stimulation, photographed then processed for histology. Half an each gonopore, 29% only one ejaculate, remainder (21%) none. Males as small |$64\,{\rm{mm\, CL}}$|...

Abstract. In late summer 2019 and 2020 bottom waters in southern Cape Cod Bay (CCB) became depleted of dissolved oxygen (DO), with documented benthic mortality both years. Hypoxic conditions formed relatively shallow water where the strong seasonal thermocline intersected sea floor, limiting vertical mixing concentrating biological demand (BOD) over a very thin boundary layer. 2020, anomalously high sub-surface phytoplankton blooms were observed, biomass from these provided fuel to deplete...

Despite being one of the most productive fisheries in Northwest Atlantic, much remains unknown about natural reproductive dynamics American lobsters. Recent work exploited crustacean populations (crabs and lobsters) suggests that there are circumstances where mature females unable to achieve their full potential due sperm limitation. To examine this possibility different regions lobster fishery, a reliable noninvasive method was developed for sampling large numbers female lobsters at sea....

ABSTRACT Current fishery management practices in both the U.S. Gulf of Maine and Norwegian clawed lobster fisheries primarily focus on conserving mature females to maximize egg production. While abundance adult American lobsters ( Homarus americanus ) remains high, declines appear be horizon. Similarly, European gammarus ), is facing its lowest recorded population size southern Norway. Understanding how strategies fishing impact structure spawning potential could inform improve resiliency...

Recent findings indicate that female American lobsters, Homarus americanus (H. Milne Edwards, 1837), are either reaching sexual maturity at smaller sizes than in the past, due to ocean warming or fishery-induced selection, they mating before sexually mature. To test second hypothesis, we determined status (i.e., presence of sperm seminal receptacles) and physiological ovary stages) 208 females captured off coast New Hampshire, USA. We found 27.8% with immature ovaries had their receptacles,...

Abstract Sperm limitation is a concern for number of heavily fished decapods; however, work to assess this sometimes hampered by lack simple techniques quantify sperm transferred during reproduction. Our primary goal was determine if DNA measurements could be used the content spermatophores and thus facilitate investigations in American lobsters (Homarus americanus H. Milne Edwards, 1837). This achieved measuring amount sample then calibrating those values using flow cytometry count...

Despite being one of the most productive fisheries in Northwest Atlantic, much remains unknown about natural reproductive dynamics American lobsters. Recent work exploited crustacean populations (crabs and lobsters) suggests that there are circumstances where mature females unable to achieve their full potential due sperm limitation. To examine this possibility different regions lobster fishery, a reliable noninvasive method was developed for sampling large numbers female lobsters at sea....

Abstract. In late summer 2019 and 2020 bottom waters in southern Cape Cod Bay (CCB) became depleted dissolved oxygen (DO), with documented benthic mortality both years. Hypoxic conditions formed relatively shallow water where the strong seasonal thermocline intersected sea floor, limiting vertical mixing concentrating biological demand (BOD) over a very thin boundary layer. 2020, anomalously high sub-surface phytoplankton blooms were observed, biomass from these provided fuel to deplete...