Growth, Reproduction, and Distribution of Pandalid Shrimps in British Columbia

Abstract

The ranges, habitats, and commercial importance are described for nine species of the family Pandalidae: Pandalopsis dispar, Pandalus jordani, P. borealis, P. platyceros, P. hypsinotus, P. danae, P. montagui tridens, P. stenolepis, P. goniurus. A key for their identification is given. Over 27,400 specimens were sampled, using trawl and trap gear, mostly from the Strait of Georgia. Pandalopsis dispar is a male at [Formula: see text] years, attaining a total length of 136 mm and body weight of 6.5 g; at 30 months, in the female phase, the length is 169 mm and weight 16.3 g. Pandalus jordani matures as a male, and to a lesser extent a female, at about 18 months, reaching a length of 105 mm and weight of 3.8 g; at [Formula: see text] years all are in the female phase, averaging 118 mm in total length and 5.8 g in body weight. P. platyceros is first a male at [Formula: see text] years, attaining a length of 140 mm and weight of 14.2 g; most remain as males for another year, and at [Formula: see text] years the total length is 180 mm and weight 35.5 g. Pandalus hypsinotus matures as a male, and to some extent as a female, at about [Formula: see text] years, at a total length of 124 mm and weight of 10.3 g; at 30 months the length is 130 mm and weight 12.7 g. Almost as many females as males of P. borealis mature at [Formula: see text] years, attaining a length of 95 mm and weight of 3.2 g; at 30 months, in the female phase, the length is 119 mm and weight 6.1 g. Pandalus danae matures first as a male, and to some extent as a female, at [Formula: see text] years, reaching 88 mm in length and 4.4 g; in the female phase, at [Formula: see text] years the length is 105 mm and weight 8.5 g. Growth of P. montagui tridens, P. stenolepis, and P. goniurus is uncertain, but all undergo sex change. Growth as related to habitat and early maturing of females as related to geographic and bathymetric ranges are discussed.