The benthic phase of the life cycle of Parapenaeus longirostris (Crustacea, Decapoda, Penaeidae) along the Mediterranean coast of Israel

The population of P. longirostris along the Mediterranean coast of Israel spends the benthic phase of its life cycle (from body size over 15 mm) on muddy bottom deeper than 45 m. New age groups are recruited within the depth zone of 45-300 m and migrate in both inshore and offshore directions. Inshore migration is limited by unsuitable sandy ground. The limiting line for offshore migration was not found. An age group could be detected during one year within a body size range of TL = 40 mm to TL = 84.5 mm for males and to TL = 102.5 mm for females. Reproductive activity in shallow water, down to a depth of 73 m, takes place during the whole year, while in depths of 150-300 m there is an arrest of reproductive activity from June to August.