Click here for printable version of this section

INTRODUCTION 

Nearly one hundred years ago, Francis Herrick, one of the pioneers in the study of Homarus americanus (hereafter referred to by its common name, American lobster), remarked, "in all probability there is no marine invertebrate in the world which is better known" (Factor 1995). Since that time, the studies of this species have expanded tremendously and his statement is even truer today. There are hundreds of research papers which deal with lobster ecology alone. Any attempt to digest this vast literature is a difficult task and it would not be possible without the thorough and comprehensive reviews of previous workers. Most notable in this regard is the excellent two volume set edited by Phillips and Cobb (1980) entitled "The Biology and Management of Lobsters" and the superbly illustrated work edited by Jan Robert Factor entitled "Biology of the Lobster" (Factor 1995). Recent research by scientists and students at the Darling Marine Center (University of Maine), Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, University of New Hampshire, University of Rhode Island and others have added immeasurably to our basic understanding of lobster requirements. Yet, despite the efforts of these dedicated researchers, there are still fundamental questions about lobster ecology which remain a mystery.