Resumen de Fecundity and egg volume in Norway lobster ("Nephrops norvegicus") from different depths in the northern Tyrrhenian Sea

Mario Mori, Milena Modena, Franco Biagi

• The relationships between fecundity and egg volume of Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) inhabiting three different depth ranges (200-300, 350-450, and 500-550 m) in the North Tyrrhenian Sea (western Mediterranean) were compared. Fecundity was not dependent on depth and egg volume did not vary with female size. The egg volume of females collected in the shallowest areas (200-450 m) was instead significantly larger than that collected in deeper waters (500-550 m). Possible explanations for this fact are examined.