Background

Caribbean spiny lobsters are a nocturnal colonial crustacean that live in high proximity to one another.

Conspecific odors facilitate den sharing among Caribbean spiny lobsters, although juveniles have shown high behavioral plasticity.

Caribbean spiny lobsters are a migratory species capable of homing from unfamiliar locations using true navigation.

Hypothesis

Temporal disorientation will decrease the homing rate of juvenile spiny lobsters

Site fidelity will be affected by reef quality

Predictions

1. Disoriented lobsters will home slower.
2. Disoriented lobsters from low quality reef will show less site fidelity.
3. Injured or diseased lobsters will engage in lower site fidelity, regardless of reef quality.

methods

Select 10 reefs (5 low quality, 5 high quality)

1. Measure 50 meter transect
2. Analyze for % cover substrate using CPCe
3. Measure rugosity index
4. Analyze habitat assessment score

Randomly select 50 juvenile spiny lobsters for CMR (25 from high quality reefs, 25 from low quality reefs)

1. House in captivity for 90 days
2. Randomly pair subject and coral reef for release

Compare % cover (quality) to lobster abundance (linear regressions)

Compare temporal disorientation to rate of site fidelity (linear regressions)