Aging the American lobster (Homarus americanus): Lipofuscin concentrations in the olfactory lobe cell mass in the brain

Traditionally, the age of American Lobster (Homarus americanus ) has been based on body size (mm carapace length). Recent studies demonstrated that lipofuscin (an aging pigment) accumulations in the brain have been more accurate predictors of age in decapod crustaceans. The purpose of this research is to apply the lipofuscin method of age determination to the Long Island Sound population of American lobster. Data for the current study demonstrate that lipofuscin concentrations in American lobster are independent of olfactory lobe cell mass size and increase with age. Additionally, lipofuscin granules increased in abundance and size at age in laboratory raised lobsters. Lipofuscin concentrations in wild caught lobsters increased and became more variable with increasing predicted age. The predicted age of 48 lobsters from Long Island Sound ranged in body size from 45--100 mm carapace length and spanned 16 years, from age 6--22, with a mean age of 13.