A B STR A C T T he spiny lobster Panulirus argus (L atreille, 1804) is the m ost im portant com m ercial fishing resource in the w estern c entral A tlantic and Brazil. F ield studies covering the w aters o ff southw estern C uba and northern B razil have im proved our understanding o f th e variations in the reproductive potential (num ber o f eggs), stock recruitm ent and reproductive efficiency o f spiny lobsters according to location, depth and size class. U sing the spaw ner-recruitm ent m odel, the reproductive potential index w as correlated w ith the index o f subsequent recruitm ent based on field sam pling. Spiny lobster habitats in deeper w aters need special attention in order to p rotect the species from overfishing o f the recruitm ent. C onsidering the longevity and absence o f reproductive senility in spiny lobsters, m anagem ent strategies should ideally include the creation o f spaw ner sanctuaries (m arine protected areas) capable o f restoring and m aintaining the biom ass o f the spaw ning stock and the establishm ent o f a m axim um catch size o f 135 m m (CL) fo r both sexes along the entire B razilian coast. B ased on our findings, w e propose to establish spiny lobster sanctuaries (50-100 m ) on the continental shelf o ff northern B razil, from A m apâ (5°25'N 5 1°0'W ) to the w estern reaches o f the co ast o f P ara (1°1 l 'N 46°27/W, 0°42rN 46°45,W ), covering a total surface area o f 64 230 km 2 . R E SU M O A lagosta e spinhosa Panulirus argus (L atreille, 1804) é o recurso p esqueiro de m aior im portância com ercial do A tlântico centro-oeste e Brasil. E studos de cam po, em âguas do sudoeste de C uba e norte do B rasil, têm m elhorado a com preensào das variaçôes do potencial reprodutivo (abundância de 4 1316 RAÜL CRUZ ET AL.ovos), estoque-recrutamento e eficiência reprodutiva de lagostas com relaçâo à localizaçào, profundidade e tamanho de classe. Com base em amostragens de campo e utilizando modelo recrutamentodesova, o indice de potencial reprodutivo foi correlacionado corn o indice de recrutamento subsé quente. Os habitats de lagosta em âguas profundas necessitam de atençào especial visando à proteçào da espécie da sobrepesca por recrutamento. Considerando a longevidade e a ausência de senilidade reprodutiva em lagostas, estratégias de gestâo devem incluir a criaçâo de santuârios (area marinha protegida) para desova, capazes de restaurar e manter a biomassa da populaçào reprodutora e o estabelecimento de um tamanho mâximo de captura de 135 mm (CL) para ambos os sexos, para toda a costa do Brasil. Os resultados permitem propor um santuârio (area marinha protegida) da lagosta (50-100 m) ao longo da plataforma continental norte do Brasil, do Amapâ (5°25'N 5°0'W) até a costa oeste de Para (1°1 l^N 46°27,W, 0°42,N 46°45,W), cobrindo uma area superficial total de 64 230 km2.

The most important populations of the spiny lobster (Panulirus argus (Latreille, 1804)) in the Atlantic are found in the Caribbean and along the Brazilian coast. Field studies covering the waters off the Cuban archipelago and Brazil have improved our understanding of the importance of oceanic circulation to larval recruitment. South of Cuba, puerulus settlement is intensive in October and November when the coastal reefs (83°W) are impacted by a cyclone-anticyclone pair, suggesting this area is the main source of retention and supply of surviving larvae, thus of self-recruitment. On the continental shelf of Brazil, puerulus settlement takes place throughout the year, but two annual peaks have been identified: one in March-April and one in July-September, when retroflection eddies of the North Brazil Current are more intense and feed into the eastward-flowing North Equatorial Countercurrent. Conceivably, Brazilian spiny lobster larvae are trapped in this oceanic system, leading to self-recruitment. On the continental shelf of Brazil the larval period lasts 6-7 months, depending on the season and spawning date. In the Caribbean the period is reported to be 6-8 months. Information on the relative abundance of early-stage spiny lobster larvae makes it possible to predict patterns of recruitment of pueruli and juveniles and the timing of their life cycle. However, further research on seasonal variations in local currents, current retroflection and ring formation is needed to clarify important aspects of larval transport, puerulus settlement and recruitment. RESUMOAs principais populações de lagosta (Panulirus argus (Latreille, 1804)) no Atlântico são encontradas no Caribe e ao longo da costa Brasileira. Os estudos de campo que cobrem as águas ao largo do arquipélago Cubano e do Brasil têm melhorado nossa compreensão da importância da circulação

In this study, we look at recent developments in our understanding of the life cycle of the red spiny lobster Panulirus argus (Latreille, 1804) and examine the evidence for connectivity between geographical regions, especially the north-northeast Brazilian continental shelf and the Wider Caribbean. The study also covers aspects of reproduction, phyllosoma density, large-scale oceanic circulation, self-recruitment, settlement patterns, ecological behaviour, and the impact of the Amazon and Orinoco river discharge on recruitment. Our findings support the hypothesis that lobster larvae are transported by ocean currents and free eddies from Brazil to the Caribbean via the Lesser Antilles, outlining a south-to-north connectivity. In addition, we look into the probable existence of hybrids between sympatric lobster species, as evidenced by differences in colour patterns and morphology.

Declines in Panulirus echinatus Smith, 1869 populations along their wide distribution in the Atlantic Ocean have spurred efforts to improve their fisheries management and conservation. In this study, the genetic structure of these populations is reported for the first time. In a survey of 18 species‐specific polymorphic microsatellite markers, 152 individuals were genotyped from five Atlantic oceanic islands, covering most of the insular distribution range of the species. The analyses revealed that P. echinatus is genetically partitioned into two stocks in the Atlantic Ocean. A highly significant genetic structure was observed between north‐east and south‐west Atlantic populations based on fixation index, discriminant analysis of principal components, and structure and barrier analysis. We suggest that the Equatorial Circulation System represents a biophysical barrier that effectively limits migration among Atlantic subtropical gyre systems, as has been described for other species. Other physical and ecological barriers, such as the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge itself, the distance between the eastern and western sides of the Atlantic (Mid‐Atlantic Barrier) and water mass differences, as well as other biological aspects, may also influence larval dispersal and modulate the insular distribution of this species. The results show the existence of two distinct genetic stocks of P. echinatus and have implications for fisheries management in the Atlantic Ocean, including their independent management according to their individual status. The Cabo Verde and the Canarian populations (north‐east Atlantic) showed the lowest level of genetic variability in comparison with the south‐western populations. A combination of factors that have occurred or are occurring in the Canary Islands, such as overfishing and volcanic eruptions, is likely to explain the reduced abundance of this lobster species in the area.