SETTLEMENT AND JUVENILE HABITAT OF THE EUROPEAN SPINY LOBSTER PALINURUS ELEPHAS (FABRICIUS, 1787) (CRUSTACEA DECAPODA) IN THE NORTH WESTERN SICILIAN COASTS

The ecological and commercial value of species of the genera Palinuridae is now widely recognized throughout the European continent. These species present a complex life cycle, with slow growth rate and a high size at maturity. As a consequence, these species are particularly susceptible to fishing pressure and the management and conservation of this resource requires specific attention. P. elephas is considered a vulnerable species mainly due to the high age-dependent mortality of adults and sub-adults individuals, which consequently reduces fishing recruitment and that might lead to an ecological bottleneck for this species limiting population growth. With these notions in mind, this project aimed at identifying the settlement stage of Palinurus elephas and at describing the preferred microhabitat for juveniles (Fabricius, 1787), along the north-western coast of Sicily (Isola delle Femmine - Palermo). Furthermore, on the basis of field observations, we tested in a controlled environment, the geometric features of the substrate needed for P. elephas settlement, This was done to propose suitable artificial structures that might favor or facilitate the settlement of P. elephas and that might protect juveniles during their benthic life stage as well as reducing natural mortality