Berried Females & Temperature

Introduction:
This project was developed to obtain long-term records of the temperatures experienced by berried female lobsters (lobsters carrying eggs) and their eggs. To do this approximately 100 lobsters have been fitted with HOBO Tidbit temperature logging tags at 3 locations: 1) New Hampshire coast, 2) Mid-coast Maine and 3) offshore by commercial lobstermen.

Objectives:
1. To measure the thermal history of berried females in the wild, in four distinct geographical locations, using temperature data-loggers attached to their carapace.

2. To determine if the movements of berried female lobsters results in an overall increase in the number of degree-days they experience.

3. To determine if the migration of berried females serves to increase the rate of egg development and subsequently decreases the incubation time.