Distribución horizontal de larvas de crustáceos decápodos capturadas entre Caldera e isla de Pascua (Pacífico sudoriental), octubre de 1999

Abstract

The crustacean decapod larvae are a very important component of the meroplankton. They constitute high concentrations during certain seasons of the year. Nevertheless, the knowledge about their distribution and abundance at a fine taxonomic level is really poor. This paper, analyzed the longitudinal spatial distribution of the decapod larvae collected between Caldera and Easter island and the relationships with two environmental variables, during the cruise Cimar 5-oceanic islands, October 1999. The 31 taxa of larvae that correspond to three groups, pelagic, mesopelagic and benthonic decapod, were identified. Sergestid shrimp larvae were the most abundant along the track. The diversity was quite variable in the whole track, showing two picks. The first picks in the neritic area and the second to the 150 nm offshore. By means of an ordination analysis (MDS), the presence of two communities of decapod larvae was detected, one was associated to the conditions of temperature and salinity of the sub-antarctic waters from the Humboldt Current System and the other community to the subtropical waters, respectively. Three assemblages of decapod larvae were identified, related with the habitat of the adult individuals. The relationships of the decapod larvae with their habitat and with the oceanographic and topographic conditions in the study area are discussed.