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Spatial and temporal scales of patches of crab larvae in coastal waters

2001; Inter-Research; Volume: 212; Linguagem: Inglês

10.3354/meps212217

1616-1599

CC Natunewicz, CE Epifanio,

Crustacean biology and ecology

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections MEPS 212:217-222 (2001) - doi:10.3354/meps212217 Spatial and temporal scales of patches of crab larvae in coastal waters Cecily C. Natunewicz*, Charles E. Epifanio University of Delaware, Graduate College of Marine Studies, 700 Pilottown Rd, Lewes, Delaware 19958, USA *E-mail: cecilyn@udel.edu ABSTRACT: This study examined the spatial and temporal scales of patches of crab larvae in the coastal waters of the Middle Atlantic Bight near the mouth of Delaware Bay, USA (38.70°N, 75°W). The spatial scale of the patches was characterized by sampling along-shelf and across-shelf transects via series of continuous plankton tows. Autocorrelation of larval densities along each transect revealed that patch diameters ranged from about 0.5 to 2.5 km in both along-shelf and across-shelf dimensions. The ages of 12 different patches were estimated by comparing the proportions of Stage I and Stage II larvae composing each patch. One additional patch was tagged with a satellite-tracked drifter, and changes in the proportions of the 2 stages were observed over a 3 d period. Analysis indicated that the tagged patch had remained cohesive for at least 4 d and possibly as long as 6 d. Potential mechanisms for patch formation and maintenance include synchronous spawning events, associative larval behavior, and aggregative physical processes. KEY WORDS: Patch · Transport · Larvae · Callinectes sapidus · Delaware Bay Full text in pdf format PreviousNextExport citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 212. Online publication date: March 08, 2001 Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599 Copyright © 2001 Inter-Research.